Blind soldier aims to conquer peaks

Blind soldier aims to conquer peaks

23 August 2023

A SOLDIER who was blinded while serving in Afghanistan is going to climb ten of the world’s highest mountains to raise money for charity.

Fourteen years ago Rifleman Paul Jacobs was just 19 when he left Ballykinlar for his first tour in Afghanistan 14 years ago.

Caught in a bomb blast, he lost both his eyes and sustained terrible injuries.

Now he has launched a new battle plan — Project Eye Believe — to raise funds for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, which has helped him through difficult times.

Over the last 14 years, Paul has battled demons on the inside and come out fighting. Now he wants to show his appreciation for SSAFA, and to inspire others to follow their dreams, despite adversity.

Paul’s mountaineering conquest will begin in October when he takes on Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales.

His next target will be Mount Toubkal in Morocco, the highest mountain in North Africa, in February 2024. 

After seven more mountains across seven continents, his final challenge will be Mount Everest — the world’s highest mountain — in 2027.

“What I’d really like is for people to start the journey with me on Snowdon, have some fun and be part of the beginning of a huge journey,” Paul said.

“One day they’ll be able to say ‘I climbed the first mountain with that blind bloke who went up Everest’.”

The events leading up to Paul losing his eyesight began when a member of his company was fatally wounded by an initial Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

Paul started clearing the ground around the dead soldier’s body to ensure there were no other IEDs.

As he moved back towards his cover man, another device suddenly exploded, which resulted in Paul losing both his eyes, sustaining terrible injuries. His comrade was also killed. 

Although he was seriously wounded in the explosion, Paul had the presence of mind to drag himself back on to the safe route which had just been cleared and move himself into a position where he could be rescued safely.

In 2010, Paul was awarded the George Medal, which was granted to him by the late Queen Elizabeth in recognition of his bravery.

The citation for the medal was “for faultless courage, selflessness and dedication to his unit”.

Paul is hoping people will accompany him on his climb of Mount Snowdon. To support Paul and find out further information visit https://justgiving.com/page/paul-jacobs-gm