A SCOTS mum has conquered Ben Nevis – after losing both her legs and hands to blood poisoning.
Corinne Hutton, 44, from Renfrewshire, became the first female quadruple amputee to conquer the 1,344ft high mountain on Tuesday night.
She lost her lower legs and hands to septicaemia in 2013, but has gone on to achieve far more than the majority of able-bodied people with the use of prosthetic limbs.
The single mum tackled the mountain alongside 80-year-old Jim Campbell, who is also believed to be the oldest man to complete the climb.
The ascent lasted more than eight hours, with the final 200m proving the most arduous.
Corinne was forced to tackle scree, loose stones and steep ridges but overcame the odds to reach the top at 5pm.
The four and a half hour descent proved the most painful part of the journey, due to the added pressure inflicted on her legs.
Corinne’s bravery inspired three generations of the Campbell family – including Jim who was celebrating his 80th birthday on Tuesday – to do the climb with her, raising funds for Corinne’s charity Finding Your Feet.
Jim took 11 members of his extended family with him, including his son Scott, 40, his 11-year-old granddaughter Ellie in addition to Corrine and her dad Colin Hutton, 72.
Only one quadruple amputee before Corinne has ever conquered Ben Nevis – Jamie Andrews, a mountaineer before losing his limbs to frostbite after attempting to climb the north face of Les Droites in the French Alps.
Corinne said: “I’m exhausted but absolutely over the moon to have done it.
“I was unable to do any training so I’m quite surprised and a little proud of myself too.
“I admit I was dreading the descent – it was on my mind the entire time on the way up as I knew it would take its toll on my legs.
“I’m so grateful to Jim, to Scott, to my dad and the whole Campbell family who encouraged me every step of the way.”
Birthday boy Jim, who also climbed the mountain on his 70th and 75th birthdays, said: “The example set by Corinne humbles any achievement by us.
Inspiration
“She is mightily impressive in everything she has achieved. She’s an inspiration.
“I was delighted to reach the top and to see Corinne achieve yet another huge accomplishment. Right now though, I’m just looking forward to enjoying a rest and some birthday cake.”
Tackling Ben Nevis is just the latest in a long line of challenges Corinne has set herself in a bid to raise money for Finding Your Feet, the charity she founded to help others faced with life-changing physical trauma.
Corinne also walked a mile through Glasgow city centre just eight months after losing her limbs, completed a 5km assault course and ridden a motorcycle.
She has also run up the ‘Rocky Steps’ in Philadelphia, cycled 10miles round the Scottish isle of Cumbrae, delivered a TEDx talk to 800 people, cycled in the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome, taken up skiing and ballroom dancing lessons, met with a host of Hollywood A-listers, carried the Commonwealth Games baton and flown a single engine propeller plane.
