Double amputee climbs for Hospiscare
Hospiscare’s amazing fundraiser, Norman Croucher has done it again!
Over the summer, after chemotherapy,radiotherapy and a major operation resulting in a permanent colostomy because of bowel cancer, the 75-year-old double leg amputee has returned to the French Alps and climbed four mountains.
Norman is raising money for us and says this gives him a great sense of purpose; the total so far is nearly £8,000.
“Hospiscare is such a first class organisation,” he said. “I’m pleased to help. It’s nice that it looks after so many people in their own homes. I know several people who have been helped by Hospiscare.”
Celia Wilkinson, Hospiscare challenge and runner fundraiser said: “We all think Norman is absolutely incredible and his continuing support of Hospiscare is just amazing. "Not content with climbing one mountain, Norman keeps planning more climbs and his fundraising keeps rising. “We can’t thank him enough for all his support and love hearing his incredible stories when he returns from his adventures.”
Norman, who lives in Topsham, was accompanied by his wife Jude. They began by climbing over easy angled snow and rock to the top of Le Brevent, near Chamonix, at 2525 metres ( 8284 feet), before tackling the Croix de Fer,2330 meters (7644 feet) via a narrow rock ridge followed by an exposed ledge and some scrambling on loose rock.
Having endured much muscle loss and eight months of daily wound dressings which hindered his ability to exercise, he was delighted to achieve these modest heights.
Joined by two student friends, they then reached the top of the Mallighorn 2700 metres ( 8858 feet) in Switzerland, after rock scramble in light snow. Next came a climb over rock slabs to a summit at 2471 metres ( 8107 feet), but bad weather prevented them from climbing any higher peaks.
Norman’s target for next year are two Swiss mountains of about 3200 metres (10,500 feet). If you’d like to donate please go to this website: www.justgiving.com/Normssurvivorsclimb www.normancroucher.co.uk
