COLIN Javens' remarkable road to 'recovery' is to take him across Africa. The 22-year-old tetraplegic - living with near total paralysis from the shoulders down - returns to his roots on a drive from London to Cape Town.

The Hereford Times has told Colin's story from the start. How a young man from Moreton-on-Lugg who liked life on the rugged side leapt into the sea to do a total stranger a good deed - and shattered his spine in 2000.

But fate was looking for a fight when it found Colin. Since the cruellest circumstances cost him what so many peers take for granted he's become an inspiration.

Once they told him something as simple as opening up a laptop would be a triumph.

He's mastered this, though, and much more, counting a return to Harper Adams Agricultural College, an Outward Bound course and even water-skiing among his everyday victories over adversity. Now it's back to Africa with a team of college friends to fulfil a lifetime's ambition.

Colin was born in Kenya and spent much of his childhood there. The continent 'got' to Colin as only it can.

If all goes to plan he'll be behind the wheel next summer (2004).

His team is to trail blaze across borders highlighting what Africa can be - as shown by the outstanding advances in conservation Colin is so keen to document, from the re-introduction of rhino to communities working with, and for, their surrounds.