The student and his college friend are building the aircraft to raise money for the Sparks children’s medical research charity of whom A & T Business associates are a sponsor.

The two students are determined their Birdman entry will beat Northbrook’s previous distance of 61 inches.

The flight attempt will help Sparks fund research at Brighton and Sussex Medical School into eczema, a topic close to the team’s heart.

But the task has not been easy for Adam. The accident, on the A27 near Lewes, left Adam battling with severe injuries including damage to his spine, spleen and the removal of one of his kidneys.

Difficult project

He said: “It has been much more difficult than we thought.

“The accident took a lot of time out to design and build it so it is getting the project back on track since the accident and building the best we can within the time we have left.”

Understanding pain

Roy Thompson from Durrington has volunteered to be the pilot, with other members including sponsor Tony Hedger from A&T Business Associates, and Ann-Marie Blackman from Sparks.

Roy said: “Both Tony and I have children who have suffered with this debilitating illness (eczema), resulting in being wet wrapped at night to reduce pain and bleeding.

“It is heartbreaking to see your own children go through this.”

Adam added: “I had serious eczema from the age of 14, so I think the money raised could not go to a better cause.

“It is something a lot of people do not see as an illness, but once you have eczema you know how miserable it makes you feel.”

Visit www.sparksbirdman.org to sponsor the Birdman team.