Double amputee veteran defies the odds again with latest challenge
The world's first amputee ultra-distance runner who was blown up and escaped execution has defied the odds again by finishing a solo 500-mile challenge in double-quick time.
Article Source: Help For Heroes
Last Updated: 23 September 2024 15:52
Chris Moon MBE from Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, has successfully completed the Camino de Santiago, or Pilgrim’s Trail, along remote plains through France and Spain.
It usually takes 40 days, but he was determined to finish it in just 14 and could set a world record as the first double amputee to take on the gruelling trek – averaging 35 miles a day under intense heat to raise more than £14,000 for Help for Heroes.
“I started with a tough first day walking 20km uphill over the Pyrenees, a torrential downpour, and an altercation with some wild boars,” said the former farmer who went on to serve in the military was blown up after leaving the Army whilst helping to clear landmines in Mozambique in 1995.
This was two years after he negotiated his own release when Khmer Rouge guerrillas took him hostage in Cambodia whilst on a United Nations mission – execution was repeatedly threatened during the three days he was held captive.
He said: “I have been written off for dead five or six times, and I’ve done things, I was told, would be totally impossible for someone like me to do. After being blown up I did my first marathon less than a year after leaving hospital, having lost my right arm and leg.
“When I was blown up, I remembered that the only thing that kept me alive with the Khmer Rouge was choosing to believe that we had hope.
"I looked at my injuries and, a split second later, I knew that I had to make myself believe that I would live,” said Chris who was made a MBE for services to the HALO Trust clearing anti-personnel landmines. “Now I wake up every day and decide to focus on what is possible rather than what is impossible.”
Chris, who is originally from Wiltshire, has spent 20 years trialling advances in prosthetic technology by putting them to the ultimate test of endurance at events including Marathon De Sables, billed as the toughest foot race on earth and the Bad Water Death Valley Ultra ‘Fun’ Run.
The 135-mile race is the hottest place in the world at the hottest time of the year - which Chris, now 62, has finished an incredible six times.
He took on the 500-mile Camino de Santiago challenge to raise money for Help for Heroes as he is a Patron. The military charity supports the Armed Forces community to live well after service no matter when or where they served. He was unsupported and carried all his own kit but had a tracker in case of emergencies.
Chris said: “This has been on my bucket list for some time and the artificial limb technology has improved amazingly since I became an amputee. I’m doing this to challenge the concept of limitation and support the vital work that Help for Heroes does to support veterans and their families. The mental and physical challenges that veterans face are amplified by age.”
He explained: “I was incredibly lucky to live after the blast and one of the reasons I survived was I was very fit. At that time, no one had ever survived injuries like it.”
“As I get older I have been able to look after myself but the problems of ageing can get harder for those of us who have suffered certain injuries. Help For Heroes continues to do an amazing job supporting our Armed Forces community to get their lives back.
“Losing my lower right arm and leg gives me some understanding of the challenges disabled veterans face. I'm very fortunate compared to many because, with good prosthetics, I can do most things."
The Camino de Santiago is a 1,000-year-old pilgrimage route leading to a church in Galicia, Spain, where Jesus’s Apostle, James, is supposedly buried.
“The challenges of being an amputee are constant which is why the valuable work of Help for Heroes is so important. I had a frustrating day when my stump had swollen, so the only thing I could do to stop it blistering was to sand a bit off the socket. It was short-term pain for long-term gain," he said.
“I was totally unsupported, so slept when and where I could and aimed to cover the distance of well over a marathon each day,” said Chris who had tested a new prosthetic leg and could now run a mile a minute faster than before.
His varied career includes studying at Seale Hayne Agricultural College, now Plymouth Faculty of Agriculture and achieving a Master's Degree in Security Management. He wrote his autobiography, One Step Beyond, and is also a motivational speaker and leadership trainer.
Chris added: “I am very thankful for what I have and what I can do. I choose to be thankful for my left arm and leg. I choose to be thankful that I’ve had the shrapnel dug out of my body, and I can now sleep without being woken up when it starts to dig in. If I ever get phantom pain, I am thankful that I will get through it. Life is truly a gift that we take for granted.”
To donate visit Chris Moon's fundraiser at Just Giving
Sponsored Links
Latest Lanarkshire News
Christmas is officially here... the IRN BRU Carnival launches for the festive season
Today, Friday 20 December, the IRN-BRU Carnival officially opens to the public, bringing all the fun of the fair to Glasgow's SEC for the 105th year!
READ MORE
Housebuilder lays career foundations for Lanarkshire pupils with Christmas design competition
Pupils at Jackton Primary and Stepps Primary School have been given a glimpse of a career in construction, thanks to Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes' latest Scotland-wide Christmas competition.
READ MORE
Wicked fans in Scotland invited to special Sing Along screenings at Vue this Boxing Day
After becoming one of the most popular big screen releases of 2024, Vue is excited to announce that an extra special sing-along version of Wicked is heading to the big screen this Boxing Day.
READ MORE
Funding win marks anniversary of Mackintosh acquisition
A generous package of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been pledged to the National Trust for Scotland to celebrate the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald.
READ MORE
Caledonian Sleeper announces winners of photography competition celebrating UK beauty spots
Caledonian Sleeper has announced the winners of its photography competition aimed at celebrating the country's most scenic locations on the overnight train's iconic route.
READ MORE
Garden Centre invites budding indoor gardeners to its stores
Dobbies Garden Centres is kicking off the new year on a green note, offering two free workshops at its Scottish stores this January.
READ MORE
Ticketmaster announces Breakthrough 2025 list
Ticketmaster has unveiled its much-anticipated Breakthrough 2025 list, highlighting the brightest up-and-coming stars set to shape the live music scene in 2025.
READ MORE
Blooming Fabulous! The Scottish Garden Festival arrives in 2025!
This family-friendly festival takes place in the spacious and scenic Hamilton Park Racecourse, offering a perfect setting for all ages to enjoy.
READ MORE
Crossbasket Castle announces grand opening date of its new luxury development
Crossbasket Castle will deliver one of Scotland’s newest and most exciting five-star hospitality experiences, with a unique restaurant by Michelin Star Chef Michel Roux.
READ MORE
Biffy Clyro, Young Fathers & Callum Beattie among winners at inaugural Scottish Live Music Awards
The Scottish Live Music Awards (SLMA) celebrated the best of Scotland's vibrant live music scene on Thursday night during a prestigious ceremony at Glasgow's Classic Grand Ballroom.
READ MORE
Dogstar Theatre brings Gideon Mack from page to stage
James Robertson's 2006 best-selling novel will be brought to life in early 2025 with a stage adaptation of The Testament of Gideon Mack from Dogstar Theatre Company.
READ MORE
Iconic soft drink is hitting the road with the festive truck the nation has been waiting for
The battle of festive cola trucks has already kicked off between Lidl and Coke - but now the country's most iconic soft drink, IRN-BRU, has joined in!
READ MORE
itison founder calls for action to help children who will have nothing this winter
Founder of Scottish business, itison, Oli Norman, has spoken out about the 'devastating' level of poverty in Scotland this festive season.
READ MORE
Splash into 2025 with New Year challenge to transform lives
A unique swimming challenge is inviting swimmers to set personal goals and raise funds for a life-changing hydrotherapy pool on behalf of leading disability charity, Capability Scotland.
READ MORE
Cold water reset retreats with Sophie Hellyer debut at Marine Troon
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts launches new series - 'Adventure weekends with Marine & Lawn'.
READ MORE
Enjoy the best of Belfast at Christmas with Stena Line
A beautiful city with a rich history and a giant adventure to be found around every corner, there is no shortage of incredible festive experiences to enjoy in Belfast.
READ MORE
Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur wins Turner Prize 2024
Jasleen Kaur, whose exhibition Alter Altar at Tramway uses a vintage Ford Escort, worship bells and Irn-Bru to celebrate the Scottish Sikh community, has won this year's Turner Prize.
READ MORE
TRNSMT reveals superstar first acts for Glasgow Green 2025
50 Cent, Biffy Clyro, Snow Patrol, The Script, Fontaines D.C. and Gracie Abrams are included among the much-anticipated first wave of artists announced for Scotland's biggest music event.
READ MORE
Christmas Dinner bookings surge at Crutherland House
Crutherland House Hotel & Spa has reported a remarkable rise in bookings for Christmas lunch, highlighting a growing trend of families seeking the magic of dining out this festive season.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!
A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, children's rides, stalls, street food and a packed live entertainment schedule makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out!
READ MORE
Brewer gives away free pints to celebrate mockumentary launch
Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn lifts the lid on the beer industry with a mockumentary starring real employees and comedians Paul Dockery and Katie McKenzie.
READ MORE
Family festive fun at the National Museum of Rural Life
Celebrate the season with festive family fun at the National Museum of Rural Life this December.
READ MORE
Christmas tree season arrives at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is marking the official start of the 2024 festive season with its delivery of 50,000 real Christmas trees, available at stores across the UK now.
READ MORE
Glasgow music festival The Reeling announces extended 2025 dates and performances from Dougie Maclean, Eddi Reader and Valtos
A popular trad music festival is set to return in 2025 – and it's adding an extra night due to demand!
READ MORE
Final date added as 30,000 expected at biggest itison Drive In Movies Christmas
itison Drive In Movies Christmas adds final date after unprecedented demand with tickets for Elf & Love Actually on sale on Wednesday 27th November at 7.30am.
READ MORE
Revolutionary swim teaching tool launches in Scotland
A pioneering visual teaching tool has launched across Scotland, making swimming lessons more accessible to everyone.
READ MORE
Festive favourites back on the big screen at Vue in Scotland
To mark the countdown to Christmas, some of the most loved holiday classics are being brought back to the big screen at Vue venues in Scotland this festive season.
READ MORE
Asda Foundation supports lonely over 60s this Christmas
Asda and Asda Foundation pledges almost £1 million to help combat loneliness and isolation in the older generation this festive period through its 'Don't be Gnome Alone this Christmas' campaign.
READ MORE
IKEA Christmas tree offer launching in Scotland this month
IKEA is giving shoppers a £20 voucher for every real tree purchased for £29 in its Scottish stores from 23rd November – with pre-orders available now.
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland is set to sell the cheapest real Christmas trees this festive season
Aldi Scotland announces the return of its freshly cut Nordmann Fir trees, with prices starting from just £13.99.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links