Mile challenge for man told he would never walk again

A Newcastle United supporter who was told he would never walk again has completed a mile-long walking challenge.

Keith Dungait suffered a spinal injury after hitting his head in a swimming pool, but decided to take on the Alan Shearer Foundation's Move a Mile campaign.

Managing about 50 steps a day in his garden using his walking frame, he completed his target in just a few weeks, raising almost £3,000 for the charity.

During a visit to Dangait's family home, the former Newcastle United and England player praised him, saying: "I think we are all in awe of Keith".

Dungait said: "Years ago, I was told I'd never walk again. I like a challenge, so I thought, why don't I try and walk a mile?

"When you can walk, you don't think about it [but] when you can't, the mechanics of walking are really hard."

He added: "It's been really good for me because it gets me up and doing stuff every day.

"I had to push myself and it's made me realise that I can do more than I thought I could."

The Move a Mile challenge is aimed at raising £1m to build a second hydrotherapy pool at the foundation's centre in West Denton.

Alan Shearer said: "It's one of the biggest and best stories that's come out of this campaign.

"For him to do that in his garden, taking nearly four or five weeks, and raise nearly £3,000 is unbelievable.

"I think we're all in awe of Keith."

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