Amputee war hero conquers Ben Nevis to help stop soldier suicide 'epidemic'

An amputee hero has conquered Scotland’s biggest peak to stop soldier suicide.

James Cairns - who had his leg blown off by a Taliban sniper - scaled Ben Nevis to show that a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnosis is not a death sentence and to help combat the growing wave of military suicides.

After his success on Nevis just before restrictions tightened, he and his band of brothers aim to climb Scotland’s five highest mountains when restrictions ease again.

The news comes after the former head of the army General Lord Richard Dannatt said veteran suicides were the “epidemic of our time”.

James, 31, said: “It was tough going on Ben Nevis but I had been training for it so we got there. My stump was a bit battered and bruised afterwards but it really was a labour of love.

James had his leg amputated after his injury (Huddersfield Examiner)

“We wanted to send the message that people who have suffered traumatic events are not broken or defeated - in fact, it can be quite the opposite. We hope that our personal journeys of recovery can help others.”

James joined the Army in 2008. Three years later, he was deployed as part of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force in Afghanistan. During operations, he was hit in his right leg by a Taliban sniper.

After undergoing multiple surgeries to try to save his leg over two long years of rehabilitation, it was decided that amputation would be the best way to give him a better, pain-free life.

Now, he is training with four other veterans to climb more of Scotland’s highest mountains including Ben Macdui, Braeriach, Cairn Toul and Carn na Criche to raise awareness of forces support group Who Dares Cares.

James Cairns put his prosthetic limb on the top of Ben Nevis (Daily Record)

Cammy MacLeod of Who Dares Cares said: “These guys have done their bit and been at the sharp end during their military service and they have used their experiences in a positive way to inspire and help others.

“They are a great bunch and an inspiration to so many. It is important to send a message of positivity and resilience at a time when people are suffering due to their mental health in the middle of a pandemic.”

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