Summit success for Andy and his team

AN inspirational sportsman who was paralysed from the neck down after a freak accident has conquered another mountain.

Andy Walker (33), from Shaw, was hauled up Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales at 3,560ft, by a team of 16 friends to raise a whopping £12,500 in sponsorship.

He had already conquered England’s third-highest mountain after a team of 14 Oldhamers helped him up Helvellyn in the Lake District last year.

The money will go to the Back-Up Trust, a charity that helps people like Andy live a fulfilling life, and has earned the group the prestigious Top Fundraising Award.

Andy suffered his injuries in a freak accident during a New-Year holiday in India in 2006 when he broke his neck while diving in the sea.

The all-round sportsman nearly drowned and spent three months in hospital in India, where it was touch-and-go if he would survive. He then endured another six months in a spinal unit in Sheffield before finally returning home.

Doctors were amazed by Andy’s spirit and determination as he overcame adversity.

Despite his injury, Andy remains extremely positive and dedicates his time to working for charities that provide support for people with spinal cord injuries to help them regain their independence.

He does volunteer work for the Back-Up Trust, teaching wheelchair skills and mentoring, and has also appeared in “Emmerdale”.

Describing the challenge, he said: “Stood at the foot of Mount Snowdon, glorious sunshine beaming onto our faces and me strapped securely into our new dynamic wheelchair, me and my team of warriors were ready to push my 6ft 3in, 14 stone deadweight up this magnificent terrain!

“Six Hours and 48 minutes later, having lost use of one wheel halfway up, exhausted, dehydrated and elated these lads had poured gallons of sweat, grunted, snarled and relentlessly urged each other up every single step as they literally carried — not pushed or dragged — me in the baking heat up and down this mountain.

“I can honestly say it was the most courageous and magnificent achievement I’ve been involved with to date.

“These are true men, supported by the marvellous girls urging us on. We loved — and hated a little at the time — every minute!”