DAN'S THE MAN; Gaffer tape keeps Alps trek on track

Byline: KATIE EARLAM

Dan, of Firthcliff Grove, Liversedge, suffers from multiple sclerosis which means that he requires a wheelchair most of the time."Thieves often do a lot of damage trying to rip cables out, and this then means it takes a lot longer to get things back to normal.METRO bosses have waged war on metal thieves who bring the system to a standstill.Along with dealing with his debilitating condition, brave Dan has failure in his left kidney and has beaten off both colon and prostrate cancer.His 1,820 mile journey was in aid of Disabled Motoring UK.CAPTION(S):* VINTAGE PERFORMANCE: Dan McIntyre ready to set off on his vintage tricycle, main picture. Left: Dan during the trek with Andy 'Dinger'' Bell, Graham Footer, Robert Kerr and Valerie Bullard. Right: Tanni Grey-Thompson joins Dan for the last three miles (S)Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson also joined Dan for the last three miles.A KIRKLEES man has successfully crossed the Alps - on a vintage mobility tricycle.Tynesider Dickinson takes on Sunderland-born David Dolan thirsting to get his career back on track after two shock failures since he gloriously won Prizefighter back in April of last year.Dan said his trek will be "a lasting tribute to Denny"."Of course it's a big fight and a step up in class, but if Dickinson wins this he will be in line for a British eliminator. It will open the door for him.In March this year three men caught while stealing cable near Shiremoor were jailed for 40 weeks each.Visit https: //mydonate.bt.com/charities/ disabledmotoringukAnd he did it on the same vehicle - a 1932 petrol Argson mobility trike.Yesterday morning saw rush-hour commuters making the journey between North Shields and Byker by bus after 30m of cable was stolen from Wallsend, affecting trains until 10am.Smart water security has been applied to cabling equipment throughout the Metro network and Nexus staff are touring scrap dealers with Northumbria Police in an attempt to trace thieves.CAPTION(S):That's the belief of Dickinson's trainer Ronnie Rowe ahead of his huge Northern Area title fight.But now Metro bosses have reassured passengers that they are determined to stamp out the crime. Ken Mackay, director of rail and infrastructure for Nexus, said: "The theft of metal is a problem for the whole community, and there are few people it has not affected in some way over the last few years.CRACKDOWN Police officers are on the look out for metal thieves

* VINTAGE PERFORMANCE: Dan McIntyre ready to set off on his vintage tricycle, main picture. Left: Dan during the trek with Andy 'Dinger'' Bell, Graham Footer, Robert Kerr and Valerie Bullard. Right: Tanni Grey-Thompson joins Dan for the last three miles (S)