The long and winding road to a record

FIVE disabled men have finally made it into the record books, two years after taking part in the longest journey around Britain in an electric mobility scooter.

The team embarked on their mammoth trip in June 2007 but have only just received a Guinness World Record certificate authenticating the journey.

A mix-up by the record organisation meant the fivesome only received their official status recently.

"They thought the trip was just for one person travelling on a scooter when there were five of us," said John Seamons, who took part in the challenge with John Duckworth, Simon Parrott, Geoff West and Jason Uren.

"It was a great feeling to get the certificate. As soon as it came I phoned everybody and said 'we've done it, we've got it at last'."

Along with the 5,349.22-mile feat the team took part in another challenge, launching their very own charity.

"We got charity status for Scoot-A-Long about 10 days before the trip," said Mr Seamons.

"We take disabled people out on rambles and we go anywhere they want. We've been to the Camel Trail, Tarka Trail and Dartmoor. They say where they want to go and we do it."

Since completing the 116-day mobility vehicle trek, Scoot-A-Long has helped a number of disabled people get out and about in places they never thought they would be able to visit.

"Everybody thoroughly enjoys the rambles and they feel fantastic because they can do what they want to do," said Mr Seamons.

He said the charity was getting more and more popular and is appealing for anyone who might be willing to provide free office space in the city.

"We are becoming more well known and I can see Scoot-A-Long getting bigger and bigger."

Helping to keep the charity zooming along is local businessman Richard Cameron.

The owner of a city burger van has collected £324 for Scoot-A-Long since Easter, adding £100 of his own money to the charity pot.

"Richard is a great bloke and it is really good to know we have got the support of people in the city," said Mr Seamons.

To donate to Scoot-A-Long or for more information, visit www.scoot-a-long.org.uk.