Duncan Slater, the first double amputee to complete the 156-mile Marathon Des Sables across the Sahara, visited the prison last June to speak to prisoners about overcoming adversity.

He was invited to return to take part in the Maghaberry Prison Duathlon, which took place in the prison’s gym and took five hours.

Six prisoners and six prison officers took part in the challenge which included a 13 mile row followed immediately by a 13 mile run.

All who took part were sponsored to do so, raising funds for Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice and Walking with the Wounded.

Andy Tosh, head of the prisoner development unit at Maghaberry, who took part in the challenge, said: “Duncan has a very powerful story to tell and is a living, breathing example of how people can change their lives if they are determined to do so.

“He is a huge inspiration and we are delighted to have him here again today to support prisoners and staff to complete their own duathlon challenge. Those taking part have worked long and hard to build the right level of fitness and, with the clear link between exercise and well-being, we see this as an important initiative. Ultimately it is our role to support people to change; today is a good step towards that.”

Mr Slater added: “Being in Maghaberry and meeting the men here, it changed my opinion of a lot of things. Something positive can come out of something negative and I’m a result of that.

“It was negative the day I got blown up and lost both my legs, but I’ve been lucky enough to make a life and do other things; so why should other people not get an opportunity to do that as well? The men here today have raised money for two charities and that’s going to help to change people’s lives, and that’s fantastic.”