Ten-year-old Yorkshire boy who lost all four limbs to meningitis prepares for 'Everest' trek in the Dales

Luke Mortimer says he is “determined” to summit Embsay Crag, in North Yorkshire, dubbed his “Everest”, so he can “return the favour” to charities which have helped him.

The youngster was just seven when he contracted the severe bacterial infections meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia.

Although he survived the illness, he lost all his limbs and needed 23 painful surgeries over a 10-week period to replace missing skin and address his wounds. Luke’s family later relocated to a bungalow in Embsay, near Skipton, transformed for him by the volunteer group Band of Builders in September.

But ever since the move in 2019, he has had ambitions to summit the nearby crag, which he can see from the garden of his rural home.

On Saturday he will attempt the trek in aid of amputee charity LimbPower and the BBC’s Children in Need – after appearing on its show last year.

Luke said: “I thought it would be nice to return the favour to Children in Need, which helped me, and LimbPower. When we moved here, we were going down the road and I just saw the crag, and I said, ‘Mum, dad, one day can we climb it?’

“It’s been a few years now, but I feel very determined about getting to the top and back down. I think the worst thing that can happen is probably rain. I’m feeling pretty confident about it. And anybody can join! .”

Luke’s father Adam Mortimer, 49, admitted the steep two-mile journey to the top of the summit and back would be a “tough challenge” for his intrepid son.

But he said Luke was intent on reaching the peak under his own steam and would be wearing a set of shortened knee-length prosthetics called stubbies for the climb.

Mr Mortimer said: “For Luke, this is a huge thing. It’s above a normal walk for even me, so for Luke, it’s quite a tough challenge. It is kind of his Everest.

“If you just did it purely on his stride, it’s half of anybody else’s. So it’s almost like if I’m walking a mile, he’s walking two.”

Luke, previously a keen rugby player for Skipton RFC., was first struck down with meningococcal meningitis on December 13, 2019.

And he was transferred to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, where doctors found life-threatening septicaemia had developed in his body.

Over the next few years, Luke endured endless sessions of physiotherapy and rehabilitation, while always wearing his trademark beaming smile.

He later learned to walk – and run – on prosthetic legs.

And after receiving £15,000 of donations, he also got his first robotic ‘hero’ arm.

Luke’s challenge will begin at Embsay Reservoir at 10am on Saturday, where cakes and refreshments will be sold. Visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/adam-mortimer-4 to donate.