Double amputee begins journey from Edmonton to Calgary on his hands to raise money for clean-water project

On Monday, 31-year-old double amputee Spencer West began a 300-kilometre journey from Edmonton to Calgary — on his hands — to draw attention to the distances some people around the world must walk to get clean water.

West plans to arrive in Calgary on May 16.

"Thirty kilometres a day is going to be rough. Your arms aren’t necessarily meant to be walked on so that’s why I’m doing a bit on my hands and a bit in a wheelchair, to try to keep my shoulders in shape. I certainly can’t afford to lose these at this point," West told the Edmonton Journal.

The We Walk 4 Water campaign, part of Free the Children's Water Initiative, hopes to raise enough money to provide 100,000 people around the world with permanent sources of clean water.

Follow West's journey here.

Last summer, West and his two best friends, David Johnson and Alex Meers, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro — and raised more than half a million dollars for Free the Children's clean water projects.

"Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro last summer with my two buddies Alex and David by my side was life changing, though this new challenge from Edmonton to Calgary could prove to be much more difficult," West said in a statement. "Not only will the distance be much longer, but 11 days of walking will put a lot of strain on our joints. But we’re ready to endure the physical and mental exhaustion that might come our way for an important cause, and we’re counting on Alberta for their help!"

Along the way, West and his team will visit participating schools holding rallies to kick off their own We Walk 4 Water fund-raising events.

"If I, Spencer West, who was told I would never walk or be a functioning member of society, could climb the largest mountain in Africa, what more can we all do to make our community and the world a little bit better of a place?" West encouraged students at an event in Edmonton last week.

Due to a genetic disorder, West lost both of his legs at the age of 5. Since then, West has been inspiring others to overcome obstacles and make a difference in the world around them.

"We don't need people to climb mountains or do crazy marathons but we’re hoping that at least they’ll be inspired by us to do a little bit more than they’ve been doing," West told the Edmonton Journal.