Double amputee veteran to reattempt Matterhorn climb

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 7^th 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