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Jamie Andrew announced as keynote speaker at 2011 Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise

A horrific accident resulting in the loss of both hands and feet would more than spell disaster for most people but not for inspirational mountaineer, Jamie Andrew.

Jamie, who has gone from strength to strength since his terrible ordeal in the French Alps in 1999, is today announced as the keynote speaker for the 2011 Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise. Aged 29 Jamie was trapped for five nights on the storm bound icy summit of the North Face of Les Droites with fellow mountaineer Jamie Fisher. When rescue came it was too late to save Jamie Fisher and was only just in time for Jamie Andrew. Suffering from hypothermia and appalling frostbite, his rescue is one of the most dramatic in the history of the Alps. Jamie will share his awe inspiring story, including how he managed to find the courage and determination to not only carry on but continue to take on challenges, with finalists and guests at the annual Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise event on Thursday 30 June.

The awards recognise business achievement in the north east of Scotland for companies of all sizes and are organised by Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise) and sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Council.

Days after being rescued Jamie had further problems to face, his hands and feet had been too badly damaged by frostbite and had to be amputated to save him from secondary infections. Unsurprisingly Jamie pinpoints the time immediately following his quadruple amputation as his lowest point. He decided from that point onwards everything would improve. As part of his rehabilitation Jamie worked with an army of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, prosthetists, dieticians and social workers. His recovery to the point of being able to walk again might seem a natural end to his story but for Jamie it was just the beginning. He has since gone on to climb Ben Nevis, run the London Marathon and scale Kilimanjaro. As well as returning to mountaineering Jamie has taken up many sporting activities including swimming, running, skiing, snowboarding, paragliding, caving, orienteering and sailing. Jamie has raised thousands of pounds for charity and has been awarded many prizes and honours including the Junior Chamber of Commerce Young Scotland Personal Achievement Award 2007 and in 2009 he was joint recipient of the Entrepreneurial Exchange Philanthropy Award.

Gary McEwan, chief executive of Enterprise says, “Hearing Jamie’s story took my breath away. It’s hard to comprehend how one man could accomplish so much in the face of such adversity. He’s truly inspirational. His drive, determination and enthusiasm for life are traits that can be applied across the board; they are transferrable to all aspects of life and work. Having such focus is one of the things that sets entrepreneurs apart. Guests at the 2011 Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise awards event will hear firsthand how Jamie used his inner strength and determination to overcome challenges and accomplish incredible achievements since losing his hands and feet.”

For more information on the awards, visit www.grampianawards.com

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