Wirral ‘super gran’ completes Three Peaks in wheelchair

Mary Lamb, a grandmother of nine, has been in a wheelchair since 2007 after she was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition which means her muscles deteriorate.

To mark her 65th birthday Mary decided to “push her body to the limits” by reaching the summit of all three mountains, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon - with her assistance dog Sheldon and the help of volunteers from the Army.

Mary Lamb and Sheldon (Image: Mary Lamb)

Mary embarked on a gruelling training schedule to prepare her for the challenge which resulted in her needing daily painkillers.

She said: “I got so tired when I trained and the pain was immense but I wouldn’t give in.

“I would get hot water bottles and hot towels and I’d put those on the really sore bits then go to bed and get up and do it all over again.

“It was really tough.”

Mary Lamb and Sheldon took on the Three Peaks challenge together (Image: Mary Lamb)

Alongside a protein-boosting diet of chicken, steak and fish, training for her big day involved Mary and Sheldon visiting the gym once a week and getting out on her trike every other day for a long distance cycle to help build her strength and stamina.

Mary said she got the “crackers” idea after having a dream that she was able-bodied and was climbing the Three Peaks.

Despite waking up and realising she wasn’t, Mary still decided to do it.

Mary Lamb is the first woman in a wheelchair to complete the challenge (Image: Mary Lamb)

Before her neuromuscular condition and COPD diagnosis - which saw her arm and leg movement worsen - Mary was mocked in the street by people who thought she was drunk. 

Mary said: "I got told I was drunk because I was wobbling down the street and everyone would say 'what's wrong with you?

“They'd push in front of me and tell me to get out the way. It made me feel so insignificant. I felt not worthy and that I should, perhaps, be locked away. But that's not right. 

"We should be doing things - why shouldn't we just because we can't walk? 

"I've still got my brain. It's not very good some days, but I've still got it.  Why shouldn't I be able to go out and be part of society? 

"I just lead a normal life.  Now I just do it on wheels instead of legs and I've got extra legs now.”

Mary has been given her independence back with the help of four consecutive dogs from charity Dogs for Good. 

Her current dog Sheldon helps with everything, from doing the washing and shopping to helping her undress at night and changing the bed as well as being a companion.

After doing a zipwire aged 60, Mary's decided to set herself the challenge of raising £30k to give someone else the chance to have one of these assistant dogs by conquering the Three Peaks over a three-day period starting from June 12.

She said: “After my diagnosis my confidence hit rock bottom. Dogs For Good gave me my confidence and life back through their assistance dogs.

"I just want others to have what I have every day that I can get up and I see that dog. 

"It's tough and some people stuck in a house may start to feel worthless.

"Sheldon looks at me, throws my slippers at me...I just want everybody to have that. 

"Sheldon has helped me get out there and start living again, and that's what we're doing it for.

"The grandchildren think I'm off my crackers and so do lots of others but I'm not going to sit in the chair and watch daytime TV for the rest of my life."

To donate to Mary's fundraising page click here.