Quadruple amputee prepares to climb one of Africa's highest mountains

Five years ago he had both arms and both legs amputated after contracting a deadly bug. Now Alex Lewis is preparing to climb one of Africa's highest mountains.

It's the latest daredevil adventure for this extraordinary man who says losing all four limbs is the best thing that ever happened to him.

Going to Ethiopia isn't just a personal mission for Alex. He wants to help people with disabilities there by building a wheelchair factory.

Watch this report by Kerry Swain:

Fred and Sangeeta also caught up with Alex in the studio:

The secret to climbing a wall with no legs and two prosthetic arms Alex Lewis tells is - is gaffer tape. It makes his skin sore but stops his artificial limb coming off.

This was Alex five years ago, close to death after contracting a rare and deadly Strep A infection.

All four limbs amputated and his face disfigured.

Alex didn't just survive - he really started living. He's been quad biking, skydiving, kayaking.

Now he going to climb Ethiopia's highest mountain - the four and a half thousand metre Ras Dashen.

This unique solar-powered cycle - specially designed by Masters Engineering students at the University of Southampton - will take Alex most of the way up the mountain. When it gets too steep he'll rock climb to the peak.

Alex Lewis:

Christopher Charalambous, Engineering project leader:

Ethiopian double amputee Emebet Ales Dires who plays basketball for her country will be climbing the mountain with Alex.

Life is hard for the disabled in Ethiopia and Alex is raising money to build a wheelchair factory there.

Alex will need up to £3million during his lifetime to pay for artificial limbs not available on the NHS. Prosthetics that will enable him to continue pushing the boundaries of what disabled people can achieve.

He's heading to Ethiopia in January. After that he wants the Southampton University students to adapt his bike so he can cross the Gobi desert.