TWO Hampshire men have overcome their disabilities to achieve their sporting dreams.

Southampton based Neil Harley and Alan McDougal have reached the peak in canoeing and karate respectively despite both suffering with learning disabilities.

Neil has been selected to represent Britain in the Special Olympics in Athens next year while Alan has achieved his black belt after 11 years of hard work.

Both men have achieved their dreams thanks to support from Southampton Day Services.

Spending 11 years working alongside karate instructor Dave Craw-ford, Alan is one of few students with learning disabilities to make it all the way to the treasured black belt.

Working for Southampton Day Services for 15 years Dave has helped hundreds of people with learning disabilities to learn the martial art.

Alan, 40, from Thornhill, said: “I was very excited to get my black belt. I have worked very hard for a long time to get it.

“I want to continue to train hard and become better and better.”

Medals Having spent just a year on the water Neil, 28, is making waves in the canoeing world, having already taken two silver medals at the National Summer Games in Leicester last year making him the second fastest Special Olympics canoeist in the UK.

With help from a host of local organisations, including the city canoe club, the OTARS charity and the city college, Neil has been making his own canoe to take to the Olympics next year.

Neil, from Bitterne, Southampton, said: “My favourite part was making and sanding it down, moulding it and using all the materials. It helped with training because it will make me go faster.”

Alison Gilroy acting operational manager of Southampton Day Services in Freemantle was delighted with the progress being made by the two men.

She said: “Both Alan and Neil are brilliant examples of how people with learning disabilities can achieve great things.

“Alan has spent very many years training hard to achieve a level in karate which many able-bodied students never reach.

“Neil is exciting us all with his commitment to his canoeing and he is achieving amazing results. Both are an inspiration to us all.”