Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Oliver Clay

Double amputee sets sights on record three peaks crawls

A dauntless double amputee from Widnes is aiming to become the first person to have crawled to the top of each of the tallest mountains in England, Wales and Scotland this month when he climbs Scafell Pike in the Lake District..

The feat will be the latest gruelling challenge faced by Paul Ellis, who underwent major surgery to remove his legs below the knee in 2008 following years of struggling with the aftermath of a devastating fall in 1992. Previously he has crawled to the summits of Ben Nevis in Scotland and Snowdon in North Wales.

To date his efforts have raised a staggering £37,000 for the Amp Camp Kids fund, which sends children affected by limb loss on holidays of a lifetime to Tenerife. Father-of-two Paul, also now a grandfather, said the Scafell Pike climb on August 27 will make him the first person to have crawled to the top of the tallest peak for each of England, Wales and Scotland.

READ MORE: Subway restaurant temporarily closed after 'mice problem'

Setting off at 6am, Paul is aiming to complete the ascent of Scafell Pike in about 12 hours: crawling up then walking back down on his artificial legs.

With two out of three tallest summits already under his belt, his indomitable efforts have raised a staggering £37,000 to pay for disabled youngsters to go on holiday.

These achievements have not gone unnoticed, and as well as widespread news coverage, he also recently carried the Paralympic torch on its leg through Knowsley, and he’s been nominated for some regional awards.

Paul crawling up Snowdon last year. (Paul Ellis)

The climb will be led by Alex Fitzgerald, of the Joe’s Giants group, which works with the great outdoors to improve people’s mental health, and Paul is anticipating some tricky terrain.

He told the ECHO: “I’ve never done Scafell Pike before.

“I’ve been told you get a lot of boulders at the top, a lot of rocks and boulders.

“I’ll be crawling up, crawling to the top and coming down with my legs, and hoping to do it before it goes dark, in around 12 hours.

Scafell Pike in the Lake District, England's highest mountain. (pixabay)

“If anyone wants to come along they can, it’s going to be a big group of us.

“People might turn up on the day which will be nice.

“I’m 57 years old, getting on a bit now, so to be able to do it is nice.”

Support the climb at Paul’s gofundme.com page.

READ NEXT:

Vile Pets at Home worker found with indecent images of children on phone

Pregnant mum left 'fighting for life' after 'horrendous' pain in groin

Mum not allowed on TUI flight had to pay another £634 to get to Spain

Man, 26, dies after choking on piece of meat during pub lunch

Win a weekend break at the luxury Titanic Hotel Liverpool

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.