Norman Croucher (OBE) is an acclaimed mountain climber who, despite having two below the knee artificial legs, set out to climb just one of the world’s 14 mountains which exceed 8,000 metres (about 26,250 feet) or as he put it “join the 5-mile high club”. His goal truly was a near impossible dream.
Alongside such people as round-the-world yachtsman Chay Blyth, the World Motor Racing Champion Jackie Stewart, radio and TV personality Jimmy Savile and athletic champion Brendan Foster, Norman has twice been chosen as Man of the Year.
“Norman, I take my hat off to you.”
Lord Hunt
Norman was the subject of a “This is Your Life” programme and received an OBE for his voluntary work for disabled people. He was the first disabled person to be appointed to the Sports Council.
With Falklands veteran Simon Weston, he received a
special “Men of the Years” award for continued achievement in
celebration of the scheme’s thirtieth
anniversary.
Sir Chris Bonington wrote of him, “There is no one like him. His extraordinary achievements have earned him a place in climbing history”.