Amputee climbs 2,280-foot mountain to raise money for others like him

By Douglas Whitbread via SWNS

A brave young quad amputee has climbed to the top of a 2,280ft (694 m) mountain to help raise money for others with missing limbs.

Luke Mortimer , 11, felt “proud” to have summited Pen-y-ghent - one of The Yorkshire Three Peaks - after he completed his “monumental” ascent on Saturday (June 29).

He reached the top ahead of his dad, Adam Mortimer, 50, who was aiming to climb six of Britain’s highest mountains with 18 other hikers in just 48 hours for charity.

Speaking about his achievement, which took roughly three hours, Luke said he was “relieved” to conquer the pinnacle.

He said: “I feel so proud. It’s a really tough climb, so I’m relieved I’ve done it. But as my mom says, ‘We never back down from a challenge.'”

Luke, who previously climbed Embsay Crag, next to his home in North Yorks., inspired his dad’s fundraising idea to climb half a dozen peaks with a team in just two days.

This attempt began at Ben Nevis, in Scotland, on Friday, before they headed to Scafell Pike in the Lake District and then on to The Yorkshire Three Peaks on Saturday.

They completed their epic mission yesterday (Sun) when they climbed to the top of Snowdown, also known as Yr Wyddfa.

But during the planning stage, Luke asked to help raise money for AMP Camp Kids, a fitness retreat for amputee children in Tenerife, by climbing a mountain of his own.

He undertook several practice walks with his shortened prosthetics - known as ‘stubbies’ - before hitting the top of Pen-y-ghent at 1pm on Saturday.

Adam said about his son's accomplishment: “We’re massively proud of Luke to decide that he was going to walk it.

“Luke inspired us by the walk he did before, and he then said he would love to meet us on a peak.

“And when we told the other, ‘Luke’s going to meet us on top of Pen-y-ghent’, they were like ‘Wow, this changes everything’.

"To be up there with Luke, who is a quad amputee, it’s a huge achievement for him. It was really great to see him up there."

Luke's mom, Christine Mortimer, 44, said she was thrilled that he had mastered the tricky climb with her and a group of other amputees.

She added: “It’s the biggest thing that he’s ever attempted. So to get to the top is a massive achievement for him.

“We did plenty of practice walks, but the terrain underfoot is difficult in places… So it’s a monumental challenge, but he was absolutely up for it.

“He’s got half the leg length, so it’s essentially like walking on your knees - that’s his stride length. He has to do twice as many just to keep up with someone of his age.

“I’m massively proud of him and his dad. We’re relieved that we made it to the top.”

Luke, previously a keen rugby player for Skipton RFC in North Yorks., was struck down with meningococcal meningitis on December 13, 2019.

And he was transferred to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, where doctors found life-threatening septicaemia, also known as blood poisoning, had developed in his body.

Writing at the time of the incident John Firth, a family friend who set up a donation page for him, said his rugby-mad family’s life had been “turned upside down”.

He said: “Luke was a budding 7-year-old rugby player, a bundle of joy who even at a young age had embraced life and every day was a happy day.

"His whole family was part of the rugby community, with his dad coaching many age-grade youngsters and his mom, running a children’s rugby kit recycling stall, so that the young boys and girls, always had the right gear to play and train in.

"However, whilst the rest of us were buying and wrapping presents ready for Christmas, the family's life was turned upside down.

"Luke’s young life was saved, however, the disease has taken its toll on his little body.
"He has proven he is a fighter, however, his life and the life of his mom, dad and his big brother will never be the same."

Over the next few years, Luke endured endless sessions of physiotherapy and rehabilitation, while always wearing his trademark beaming smile.

He later learned to walk - and run - on prosthetic legs.

And after receiving $18,957 worth of donations from an army of well-wishers, he also got his first robotic ‘hero’ arm so he could do more for himself.

The bungalow where Luke now lives with his brother Harry Mortimer, 15, and his parents was previously changed for a man who was paralyzed.

Volunteer organization Band of Builders later helped his dad Adam fit it with a remarkable range of new adaptions, which were unveiled on September 3 last year.

Luke and Adam hoped to raise $16,429 for AMP Camp Kids through their challenges, with any further money going towards his ongoing health and physical needs.

But incredibly, his tally is currently over $21,490.

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