A SOLDIER who was told he would never walk again after being shot in the back in Iraq has conquered Africa’s highest mountain.

Jonathon Le Galloudec, from Eynsham, was one of several injured soldiers who reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise thousands of pounds for the forces charity Help for Heroes.

Lance Corporal Le Galloudec, who was wearing splints on his legs and aided by walking sticks, reached the 5,895m summit on Thursday. And the first thing he did was phone his mum Sarah.

Two years ago, a sniper shot him in the spine while he was serving with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Green Jackets – now known as 4th Battalion The Rifles.

While he was being treated in intensive care, the 28-year-old was not expected to walk again, but has managed to make a partial recovery.

He said: “I remember two years ago lying on my back – I never thought I would get the chance to walk again let alone climb a mountain. I am just so pleased.

“This was the hardest thing I have ever done. When I was injured I was told I would never walk again, and I now use a stick everywhere I go.

“I work in the gym to keep myself motivated and to make sure I don’t become a couch potato.

“It took five days to go up the mountain and two days to come down because you don’t have to worry about altitude sickness on the way down. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was a personal challenge for me, as well as raising about £45,000 for Help for Heroes.

“I wanted to give something back to the charity because it helped me to build my confidence after I was injured. I went skiing with the Battle Back organisation which is linked to Help for Heroes.”

His parents, Steve, 51, and Sarah, 52, from Eynsham, helped their son with training by accompanying him on practice walks. The climb, aided by porters, started on October 22, and L Cpl Galloudec, now based at Bulford Camp, near Salisbury, returned to the UK on Sunday.

Mrs Le Galloudec said: “Jonathon has done something a lot of able-bodied people are not able to do. That will give his confidence a huge boost.”