September 29, 2010 3.39 pm This story is over 161 months old

Lincoln amputee to climb Kilimanjaro

Killer climb: A Lincoln amputee will be climbing Kilimanjaro in order to raise money for charity.

A Lincolnshire athlete and above-knee amputee is set to climb Mount Kilimanjaro next month to raise money for charity.

Andrew Skinner, a Great Britain Sitting Volleyball player from Lincoln, will tackle the mountain on October 13 with 15 other people.

He is hoping to raise £3,500 for LimbPower, the providers of the Amputee Games.

The Amputee Games, which helps generate interest in disability sport and recruiting new players, costs £20,000 to operate.

Skinner set up and plays for Lincoln Sitting Volleyball Club, East Midlands Sitting Volleyball Club, and also represents Great Britain.

He is looking forward to the climb, but admits that it will be a challenge.

He said: “This is a climb of a lifetime, to achieve this would be amazing, not just because I’m an amputee but to let other people with disabilities out there know there is more to life. We aren’t different, we are unique.”

Director of Development for Volleyball England Janet Inman said: “It’s great to find an athlete that is constantly challenging himself to achieve great things, Andy is an inspiration to all those who know him.

“His determination and focus means he usually achieves what he sets out to do. I’m sure everyone in Lincolnshire wishes him well both in this challenge and in his 2012 ambitions.”

Source, Photo: Lincolnshire Sports Partnership