A dauntless Widnes dad who lost both of his legs below the knee following a serious fall is ready to face his next epic challenge when he attempts to crawl a marathon around his hometown.
Intrepid double amputee Paul Ellis, 57, will be taking on the colossal endurance feat dressed as a banana.
He told the ECHO he came up with the idea “this week” and his brief training has included completing a timed mile on Wednesday evening.
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The 26-miler is in aid of the Amp Camp Kids fund, which pays for children affected by limb difference or loss to enjoy holidays of a lifetime in Tenerife.
Paul said he doesn’t know if the Widnes challenge will be the first time anyone has completed a marathon in the town.
In previous feats Paul has conquered a crawled ascent of Britain’s highest peak Ben Nevis, as well climbing the tallest mountain in Wales and England at Snowdon, and a 50-mile walk.
The Ben Nevis fundraiser attracted widespread attention and raised the impressive sum of £37,000, helping to pay for holidays for children in February and May.
Surgery took place to remove father-of-two Paul’s legs below the knee in 2008 after he had struggled with the aftermath of a devastating fall in 1992 from which he never recovered.
He will have two friends supporting him with logistics during his feat next Thursday, which Paul thinks could take 24 hours.
Although hoping for a “nice day” he said he’ll still go if it’s raining.
Describing how he came up with the idea, Paul said: “I was thinking ‘what can I do next? I know, I’ll do 26 miles'.
“I’ve walked it last year when I did 50 miles. This is the first time I’ve crawled it.
“It’s going to be a hard challenge. I’ve got to do a lap - go out of our house, up the road, past the college, come back and back down through town.
“It’s seven miles so I thought I’d do three laps, go home, get a cup of tea and set off again.”
His inspiring efforts to conquer the practical, physical obstacles of limb loss and help others has wrought support far and wide and closer to home too.
He told the ECHO: “It’s funny, I went out last night crawling and a guy came over talking to me and he gave me £50.”
Writing on his fundraising page he said: “I will be crawling 26 miles dressed as a banana.
“I will be setting of sometime in the week commencing the 6th of June. Just need a nice day, will be setting of from my house crawling around Widnes to raise funds for Amp Camp Kids along the way.
“If anyone would like to join me you’re more than welcome just contact me. It's going to be a really tough challenge mentally and physically but one I'm up for.”
Paul will have a collection bucket with him next week for anyone wanting to make donations.
Alternatively, supporters can visit his “26 Mile Crawl For AMPCAMP KIDS” page at gofundme.com
