A double amputee Army veteran is again attempting to summit one of the deadliest mountains in the world
Neil Heritage, 36, from Dorset, is set to climb the Matterhorn next month in his second attempt to summit the mountain. If Neil and his team reach the summit, he will be the first double above knee amputee to complete the challenge.
The former corporal, who was injured by a suicide bomber in Iraq in 2004, attempted the climb last year but had to make the decision to turn back.
“Last year a number of things went wrong as the challenge had never been done before” said Neil. “It was our best guess at what might work. This year we have changed a lot of things, such as prosthetics, so we have a much better chance of success.”
Prior to the Matterhorn climb, Neil has completed triathlons, learned to scuba dive and ski and also completed a 3000-mile row across the Atlantic as part of the Row 2 Recovery team.
The team will also include former British Army soldiers Steve Green, Mark Hooks and four mountain guides.
Neil is undertaking the challenge in support of Military Charity Blesma, the Limbless Veterans to say thank you for all the support the charity has given him since he was injured.
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless service men and women, their widows and dependants. It was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932.
The team will start the climb on the 7th August 2017 and expect to take 3-4 days to reach the summit.
To support Neil on his Matterhorn challenge, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/climb2recovery
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless service men and women, their widows and dependants. It was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
Hi-res images can be downloaded from the links below:
Neil climbing – http://blesma.org/media/440994/dscf6387.jpg
Neil – http://blesma.org/media/440996/dscf6426.jpg
About Blesma, The Limbless Veterans
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless serving and ex-service men and women, their widows and dependants. It is a membership organisation which helps wounded service men and women rebuild their lives by providing rehabilitation activities and welfare support. Their membership includes those who have lost the use of a limb, an eye or the sight of an eye.
Blesma was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932. Blesma today has over 4000 Members and widows. The membership consists of men and women who have served during the Second World War and the many subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping operations since, including the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Follow us on Twitter @Blesma and Instagram @Blesma
For further information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, contact
Jessica Mackinnon, In-house journalist
E: ihj@blesma.org
T: 020 8590 1124
W: www.blesma.org
