Climbing quadruple amputee Jame AndrewA man who lost his hands and feet after a climbing accident is to tackle a triathlon to raise money for charity.

Jamie Andrew, who suffered severe frostbite while awaiting rescue in a storm on the 4,000m Les Droites near Chamonix, hopes to raise £50,000 by completing the event. His climbing partner Jamie Fisher died in the accident.

Climbing quadruple amputee Jamie Andrew

The 37-year old will attempt to run a marathon, swim more than two miles and cycle 112 miles in under 24 hours. Jamie has dubbed the event the Titanium Man, after the material his prosthetic limbs are made from. The distances mirror those of the famous Ironman triathlon.

Jamie says the swim, in Loch Tay, will be difficult. He describes swimming without hands and feet as akin to rowing with round oars. He said: “No special equipment, such as flippers, is allowed so I have had to learn entirely new swimming techniques in order to make progress through the water.”

His cycle ride down the shores of Loch Lomond will be on a bike he has specially adapted and the marathon will follow the route of the Union Canal from Falkirk to his home town of Edinburgh.

Cash raised from the 4 August event will go to 500 miles, a charity set up with fellow amputee Olivia Giles to help provide false limbs and help to those throughout the world who have lost limbs. And yes, it does have the backing of the Proclaimers brothers Charlie and Craig Reid, after whose song the charity is named.

To help out with a donation, check out the Titanium Man’s website.