DETERMINED Wayne Howard rose to the challenge and exceeded his target as he took 50 steps in aid of charity.

The 37-year-old, who suffered severe brain damage and lost his right leg when he was involved in a motorbike crash, had only ever managed to walk 20 steps since the accident.

Cheered on by his partner Tracy Goodwin, and his three children Jayd, 13, Jordan, 12 and nine-year-old Connor counting him down, he surpassed his 40-step target.

Wayne, a former Manx GP rider, achieved the milestone in one hour and twenty minutes at the Therapeutics Centre in Eastleigh, where he receives regular physiotherapy.

Mum Isobel, 60, said: "I am totally overwhelmed by his effort. I got quite emotional because it is such an achievement.

"I know the effort that Wayne had to put in for this achievement. For him it's the equivalent of running the London Marathon."

Wayne was helped on his way by an "upweighting" system which allows him to walk and stand without being held by other people.

He carried out the "sponsored step" to raise hundreds of pounds for St Mary's Hospital children's unit in Portsmouth and The Wayne Howard Trust, a charity set up by his family to help people with brain injuries.

Today around 27 people with varying disabilities who receive physiotherapy treatment at Therapeutics will take part in a sponsored mile long walk.

Therapeutics head of neuro-rehabilitation, Penny Lilley, said Wayne's achievement was remarkable.

"It was absolutely fantastic. He did very well and far exceeded my expectations."

Wayne, who lives with his family at Porlock Road, Millbrook, Southampton crashed his bike six years ago.

During his rehabilitation he was fitted with a prosthetic leg and underwent weeks of pioneering treatment at the Schmieder Clinic in Germany made possible by Daily Echo readers who helped to fund his stay.