A former SAS soldier from Shropshire who is taking on a major physical challenge, despite being an amputee, impressed Shropshire Star readers so much he has been given a special prize.

Stuart Trow, 33, from north Shropshire, has been awarded the Shropshire Star Good News Story of the Week, after reaching a £10,000 fundraising milestone.

Mr Trow, who lost part of his leg when he was shot three times in Afghanistan, will tackle Mount Kilimanjaro later this year to raise money for Help for Heroes, which supports wounded soldiers.

He has now raised £10,000 in total from family, friends and events, but hopes he can raise another £2,000 before the challenge in October. He said he was pleased his story was recognised as a good news story because he wanted to inspire others.

“I hope this will inspire people, that’s all part of the reason why I want to do this, to motivate and inspire others,” he said.

“I am raising money for the Help for Heroes fund because it’s a cause close to my heart.”

Mr Trow said the climb would take six days and he would be doing it alongside other military amputees, camping in tents along the way. He said: “It’s been going really well, I’ve done a lot of cycling and some gym workouts and then just the usual walking.

“I’m not too worried about it because I’ve done similar things before, although not quite as extreme, so it’s just going to be a battle with the amputation and the scars and the blisters.”

Mr Trow said he would be keeping in touch with wife, Lisa, and his two daughters, aged one and three during the challenge, and thanked everyone who has sponsored him. To sponsor him visit www.justgiving.com/heroclimb