AMAZING pictures show triple amputee Andy Reid on his journey to climb up Mount Kilimanjaro.
Rainford’s Andy became a triple amputee after an explosion on the frontline in Afghanistan in 2009.
He has used his story to inspire others, setting up the Standing Tall Foundation, and his inspirational efforts earned him the MBE.
As reported by the Star earlier this month, the dad-of-two is now bidding to become the first triple amputee from the UK to scale the 18,000 feet to summit of Kilimanjaro.
In the process, raise funds for the Standing Tall Foundation, a charity he co-founded to support the delivery of mental health counselling and addiction support services.
His amazing challenge has progressed over the past week - and the team taking part has been sharing pictures and footage of Andy's efforts.
Earlier this week, his Standing Tall Foundation posted a statement which read: "Our Colonel Andy Reid MBE is now 7 days into his epic trek up the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro.
"He walked 10k on Wednesday alone to reach the Shira 2 camp, and sets off again today to climb to the 3rd camp.
"The amazing pictures are only a tiny glimpse of the incredible journey Andy and his team are on in their quest to reach the summit on the 13th Oct, a very poignant date in the minds of Andy and his family as it marks 13 years exactly to the day he got injured in Afghanistan.
READ>Wife of Andy Reid hails his incredible strength
"All of the funds raised will be used to provide vital mental health counselling sessions, physical activity initiatives, resilience training courses in schools, and addiction support services."
His challenge is being supported by second hand retailer Cash Converters, which has pledged £30,000 in aid of the mission and to fund specialist kit to support Andy's climb.
Andy and his team, including a physio, prosthetist and consultant surgeon headed out to Tanzania on September 29 to begin the climb following months of training for the extreme conditions.
Andy is expected to use 200 per cent more energy than climbers not living with a disability.
It is the latest fundraising effort from Andy and the Standing Fall Foundation, having already raised several hundred thousand pounds for some of the national charities that helped him and his family in the aftermath of his injury.
Speaking to the Star previously, he said: “I’m climbing Kilimanjaro on what will be the 13th anniversary of getting injured in Afghanistan, to raise vital funds for My Standing Tall Foundation so we can continue to offer free mental health and addiction support for those who so desperately need it.
"This challenge will be my toughest and most enduring yet, but I want to prove to myself and others that with determination, courage and support from those around you, you can overcome adversity to achieve anything, no matter how hard it may seem!”
You can donate to this inspiring challenge here. All of the funds raised will be used to provide vital mental health counselling sessions, physical activity initiatives, resilience training courses in schools, and addiction support services.
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