A double amputee scaled the highest mountain in the UK in just 12 hours...by crawling.
Dad-of-two Paul Ellis conquered Ben Nevis in support of a charity for amputee children.
The 57-year-old climbed the mountain wearing prosthetics last year but, this time, wanted to take on an even greater challenge - to show how tough amputees are.
The gruelling challenge left him “very very sore”, he said - but he was “made up” he managed to complete it and raised £5,000.
Paul, from Widnes, Cheshire, said: “It was a very hard challenge which left my knees and back very sore. But I made the decision to crawl because I wanted to get people’s attention.
“It was gruelling and at times it was quite emotional, but I just kept going. I was made up when I completed the challenge and to help raise funds to give amputee children the holiday of a lifetime.”
Paul, who is not currently working, had a double below-the-knee amputation in 2008.
He had a fall in 1992 which had left his legs paralysed and a further break to his leg in 2007 left him facing amputation.
Following the surgery, Paul, dad to Rebecca, 16, and Rosie, 14, used a wheelchair or walked on prosthetic legs.
He became friends last year with Ben Lovell, who is the founder of Amp Camp, a charity which provides holidays for amputees.
Over the years Paul began completing challenges to support the charity, including climbing Ben Nevis and Snowdon on his prosthetic legs several times with their team.
Last year, Paul himself was able to access the services from the charity and went on holiday to Tenerife which he said was “out of this world”.
But this year he opted for his greatest challenge yet.
He said: “I knew it would be very hard. I had walked it before so I made the choice to crawl.
“I wanted to make get people’s attention and show what amputees can do.”
Backed by a 30-strong team it was a 12 hour crawl to the summit, which is 4,413 feey above sea level
It was a 12-hour crawl to the summit, which is 1,345 metres above sea level.
They camped at the top before Paul popped his prosthetics legs back on to climb back down.
