A double amputee has scaled the highest mountain in the United Kingdom by crawling on his hands and kneecaps.
Paul Ellis, 57, reached the summit of Ben Nevis in Scotland last Saturday after joining a charity climb in support of amputee children.
“When I got to the top, I could have cried my eyes out. It was such an amazing feeling,” Ellis told Jam Press after reaching the peak of the mountain, 1,345 meters above sea level.
Ellis suffered a fall in 1992 which left his legs paralyzed. After a further break to his leg, the father-of-two was forced to undergo a double below-the-knee amputation in 2008.
He subsequently became friends with Ben Lovell, the founder of Amp Camp, a charity that provides holidays for amputees.
Last Saturday, Paul Ellis, 57, scaled Ben Nevis — the highest mountain in the United Kingdom — by crawling on his hands and kneecaps. Jam Press
Both of Paul’s legs were amputated below the kneecaps back in 2008. He has been participating in challenges for the charity Amp Camp for a number of years. Lucy McAlpine Photography/ SWNS
“I wanted to make get people’s attention and show what amputees can do,” Ellis explained. He is seen crawling through a freezing river as he scaled Ben Nevis. Lucy McAlpine Photography/ SWNSOver the years, Ellis began completing challenges to support the charity, including climbing Ben Nevis on his prosthetic legs last year.
This year, however, he decided to crawl to the top of the mountain in order to raise more awareness for Amp Camp and show just how tough amputees can be.
“I knew it would be very hard. I had walked it before, but [this time] I made the choice to crawl,” Ellis explained. “I wanted to make get people’s attention and show what amputees can do.”
Ellis was part of a 30-strong team that climbed the mountain to raise money for Amp Camp. Lucy McAlpine Photography/ SWNS
“It was a very hard challenge which left my knees and back very sore,” Ellis said of the climb. “It was grueling and at times it was quite emotional, but I just kept going.” Lucy McAlpine Photography/ SWNS
The peak of Ben Nevis is 1,345 meters above sea level and offers incredible 360-degree views out over Scotland. Lucy McAlpine Photography/ SWNSPrior to the climb, the amputee set up a GoFundMe, and people began donating hundreds of dollars a pop.
He raised more than $6,200 before setting out with a 30-strong team for the expedition on Saturday.
“It was a very hard challenge which left my knees and back very sore,” Ellis said of the climb. “It was grueling and at times it was quite emotional, but I just kept going.”
Stunning photos show the dad crawling across rocks and snow, being supported by fellow climbers.
The group reached the summit after 12 hours. They camped at the top for the night before Ellis put his prosthetics legs on to climb back down the following morning.
Ellis spent 12 hours on his hands and kneecaps in a bid to reach the summit of the mountain. Lucy McAlpine Photography/ SWNS
Ellis is seen alongside members of his team after they finally reached the top of the mountain on Saturday evening. Lucy McAlpine Photography/ SWNSEllis said the trek back down the mountain with his prosthetics was “more painful” than on the way up due to sore muscles from the day before.
However, his wife and two daughters were on hand to greet him at the base.
“Seeing my family again was fantastic,” he emotionally stated. “There were lots of big hugs.”
