A climber who lost his hands and feet to frostbite has announced plans to run in the London Marathon.
Jamie Andrew, 32, from Edinburgh, said he hopes to raise thousands of pounds for the British Red Cross and Just Athletics, a charity for athletes with disabilities, in the event on 14 April.

Mr Andrew had to have his hands and feet amputated after being rescued from an expedition in the French Alps in 1999 in which his close friend, Jamie Fisher, died.

Jamie Fisher died on the climbing expedition
 
He said he has been undergoing intensive training for the 26.2-mile race, which represents his "most difficult challenge yet".

Mr Andrew said: "As part of my continuing mission to prove that disabled people can achieve as much as everyone else, and to make my life as difficult as possible for myself, I have decided to attempt to run this year's London Marathon.

"I started serious training back in December and it's been going pretty well so far, although it's very hard work."

Two years ago, Mr Andrew, an experienced climber, became the first quadruple amputee to reach the summit of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain.

Ski resort

He made the climb using a pair of custom-built artificial legs and walking sticks which fit over his arms and legs.

That climb raised £15,000 for the Across Trust, a charity that organises holidays for sick and disabled people and the Red Cross.

Mr Andrew and Mr Fisher, 28, became stranded 13,000 ft up a mountain near the ski resort of Chamonix, France, in January 1999.

Rescue teams eventually reached the men on Les Droites, but Mr Fisher was dead.

Mr Andrew was later honoured for his bravery at the 1999 Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (Radar) People of the Year Awards.
 

BBC News Scotland