Intrepid Bearsden amputee takes to the hills for his latest challenge

This year will be a ‘virtual’ event for the first time in 40 years requiring competitors to register by app. when they have succeeded in reaching each summit, then log their finishing time.

Jamie Andrew (51) suffered a near-death experience when he was trapped in blizzard conditions on Les Droites in the Mont Blanc Massif while climbing, in 1999.

The amputations of both hands and both feet saved Jamie from perishing from septic shock after he was airlifted to hospital, where he adopted his mantra of “always make the most of what you have” and to continue setting goals.

A motivational speaker by profession, Jamie has raised tens of thousands of pounds by walking up Ben Nevis, running the London Marathon and climbing Kilimanjaro, as well as scaling the London Olympic Stadium as part of Channel 4’s ‘Meet the Superhumans’ campaign to launch the Paralympic Games.

Back in April he spent several days climbing around 45,000 stairs in his house to reach the equivalent of the summit of Mount Everest to raise over £4,500 for NHS Charities Together.

The Edinburgh Seven Hills Race embraces climbs of the Castle Esplanade, Blackford Hill, Braid Hill, Arthur’s Seat, Corstorphine Hill, Craiglockhart Hill and Calton Hill,

Jamie, who now lives in the capital, has until the end of the month to complete the challenge and believes his local knowledge will help.

He said: “The Seven Hills race has been on my radar for years, but there is normally a top class international crew taking part.

“I’ve found an optimum way to climb the hills. For example, the quickest way up Arthur’s Seat is by a route known as the ‘gutted haddie’ but that means racing over lots of loose scree and rock, not suitable for my blades which are like running on stilts with balance and grip essential.

“I have worked out an alternative and I fancy I can get round the 14.3 mile course in under four hours.”