Amputee army veteran smashes UK's most difficult rock climbs on his prosthetic leg
An amputee army veteran has completed one of the UK's most difficult rock climbs after clambering up a 200m (650ft) cliff - despite only having one leg.
Andrew 'Speedy' Speed, 44, put his rock climbing skills to the ultimate test when he decided to climb Cornwall's famous 'Commando Ridge'.
On June 23 the veteran, who served for over 28 years in the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment, set off with a team to climb the huge cliff on his prosthetic leg.
He negotiated the Atlantic tides, vertical walls of rock, tremendous drops and unwelcoming seagulls to achieve his goal of finishing his difficult ascent.
He climbed alongside several other veterans with Climb2Recovery, a charity specialising in helping veterans to recover their mental and physical health through rock climbing.
Fraser Day – Climb 2 Recovery’s regional coordinator for South West and Wales said "I've been really impressed with Speedy's progression into climbing and it's great to see his ongoing recovery.
"Commando Ridge is a tough climb even for an able-bodied climber and it shows what guts and determination he has to overcome his disability."
Speedy sustained an injury to his leg in 2012 and underwent 12 operations in seven years to attempt to repair his injury.
In 2019, he made the difficult decision to have an elective surgery to amputate his right leg below the knee.
He got in touch with Climb 2 Recovery and threw himself into the hobby - saying "I found myself in the Peak District on the side of a cliff!"
He added: "It was a bit of a baptism of fire at first, getting used to what leg does what and on what surface.”
Having acquired his rock climbing skills and found climbing partners through the charity, Speedy felt ready to tackle the climb.
It is legendary amongst rock climbers for being one of the longest climbs of its kind in the UK - but was no match for Speedy who completed it with ease.
-
0:53
SWNS
7 days agoIs the tailgate more important than the game?
371 -
7:52
Price of Reason
15 hours agoJoker 2 Review - Folie A Doo Doo! (No Spoilers)
43.3K16 -
54:52
LFA TV
21 hours agoElon Musk: This Could Be America’s Last Election | Trumpet Daily 10.2.24 9PM EST
63.8K11 -
3:11:23
Mostly Sports With Mark Titus and Brandon Walker
12 hours agoMostly Sports College Football Dynasty League | Week 12 Session 1
80.3K1 -
59:13
The StoneZONE with Roger Stone
9 hours agoThe Triumph of Vance & Humiliation of Walz – W/ Catturd | The StoneZONE
70.7K49 -
4:31:59
Tundra Gaming Live
9 hours agoThe Worlds Worst Horror Streamer Has Heart Attack Playing ReVeil
49.9K8 -
1:07:14
Sarah Westall
9 hours agoUN & WHO: Forced Vaccinations and Internment Camps, Common Law Solutions w/ Christopher James
51.2K13 -
1:54:23
2 MIKES LIVE
10 hours ago2 MIKES LIVE #124 News Breakdown Wednesday with Special Guest KEVIN CARTER!
50.3K5 -
48:57
The Amber May Show
15 hours agoIce Director Confirms 425,000 Convicted Criminals Released Into America
37.4K3 -
1:19:20
The Body Language Guy
10 hours agoJD Vance and Tim Walz' debate FULL body language analysis
60.3K27