AN adventurous Lake District man paralysed in a freak bicycle accident has re-ignited his passion for ski-ing thanks to the work of a charity.

Will Clark, of Grasmere, who is tetraplegic, was able to go on a winter ski trip to Sweden with the assistance of The Back Up Trust.

He got an unexpected call from the charity in January, offering the ex-captain of Sheffield Hallam University ski team, the chance to get back out on the slopes.

Will, who started ski-ing aged nine, said: "Following my spinal injury I didn’t think that it would be possible to get back on the ski slopes and thought, if I did, it wouldn’t be very enjoyable.

"The good news is that The Back Up Trust came up trumps once again making a winter ski trip a reality and a fantastic experience at that!

"I have missed my time on snow. Seeing many images of people enjoying the Alps this winter is still very difficult.

"Just as I thought I was going to have a quiet January I got a unexpected call asking if I wanted to go to Åre in Sweden as a participant on the Back Up course. Without thinking I said: 'Yes'!

"The Swedes are at the forefront of disability ski-ing and have been doing it for 30 years. Hurtling down slopes only three feet above the snow, ski karting enables even those with the most severe disabilities to ski."

Will's holiday enabled him to take part in both day and night ski-ing, as well as completing jumps.

The Back Up Trust was founded in 1986 by Mike Nemesvary, the former British and European Freestyle Champion and James Bond stunt double, whose life was devastated when he broke his neck during a training session.

Back Up was initially set up to offer ski courses for those affected by spinal cord injury. Back Up now offers a range of other courses and services to challenge perceptions of disability.