By Graham Britton. BRAVE mountaineers have received awards for helping people whose lives are endangered while climbing – and in doing so have followed a code of practice launched by a Topsham man. Norman Croucher OBE, of White Street, is a member of the

By Graham Britton

BRAVE mountaineers have received awards for helping people whose lives are endangered while climbing - and in doing so have followed a code of practice launched by a Topsham man.

Norman Croucher OBE, of White Street, is a member of the Alpine Club, the oldest mountaineering organisation in the world.

The 68-year-old set up an initiative as part of the club after several incidents where climbers had ignored people who were sick, injured - or even dying - in 'self-centred bids for summit glory'.

Bravery presentations were made two weeks ago to six climbers who rescued a Spanish alpinist from a Himalayan mountain - endorsing Norman's code.

The commendations aim to recognise people who have forsaken their own objectives to assist those whose lives are at risk.

Speaking about the Spirit of Mountaineering event which he attended in Chamonix, France, where the presentations were made, Norman said: "It was a great day.

"The event was so well attended there had to be a screen put up in an overflow room for people to watch."

Norman, who has climbed more than 50 mountains, was run over by a train which cut off his legs when he was aged nineteen.

He added: "People in our society generally tend to be concerned with winning at all costs which I find questionable.

"Certainly, in a mountaineering context I don't agree with that mindset hence why I set up the code."

Norman was made an OBE in 1977 for services to promoting adventure sports for people with disabilities.

Reflecting on his life's achievements, in a humble fashion he merely said: "It's been hard work!"

But, he added: "Setting up the code is the one thing I'm most proud of - people adhering to this is of utmost importance."

Of his greatest mountain successes, high-altitude climber Norman, notably, scaled Himalayan peak Cho Oyo in Tibet in 1995, which has a height of 26,906ft.

ENDS

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