The comeback attempts of a Bradford on Avon charity dancer has come to a premature end as he is still feeling pain from the injuries he suffered when he was knocked over by a car last Wednesday.


This lunchtime former St Laurence student Ben Hammond, 34, returned to the site in Polsham, near Wells, in Somerset, where he suffered concussion and required stitches when he and a support cyclist where involved in the collision.
 

Mr Hammond aimed to dance from John O’Groats to Land’s End raising £50,000 for charities supporting disadvantaged people in Burma through his Dance Britain for Burma fundraiser, as part of his charity event.
 

The dancing man, who had been recovering at his family home in Bradford on Avon after being released from Yeovil Hospital last Friday, attempted a mile boogieing in Polsham before stopping due to the pain.

Mr Hammond said: “I had a go today and got a mile down the road but felt terrible. There was pain in my legs, back and neck, I just didn’t feel right and I was a bit flakey by the side of the road.”
 

Mr Hammond, who has returned to Bradford on Avon, confirmed this wouldn’t be his last dance and that he’d complete the fundraiser when he was fully recovered over weekends as he is expected back at his job with the Institute of Education in London.
 

He said: “I’m still aiming to cover every step of the challenge, I’m very insistent on this, and I’ll begin again on a part-time basis when I’m fit and able to.”
 

Following the incident last Wednesday, Avon and Somerset Police arrested Alanna Rugg, 25, from Wookey, who has been charged with drinking and driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident.
 

She has been bailed to appear at South Somerset Magistrates' Court on October 19.

Mr Hammond started his challenge, raising funds to be split between Amnesty International, Burma Campaign UK, Partners Relief and Development, Learn Burma and Prospect Burma, on August 13 and had originally aimed to finish on October 13.
 

It is now thought the dancer will finish his charity challenge in November.

The unique fundraiser was inspired from Mr Hammond's time teaching in a refugee camp on the Thailand/Burma border.

For more information about his fundraising, or to donate, visit www.dancebritain.com.