Neil Heritage Keynote Speaker

Neil Heritage was in the British Army for eleven years serving operationally in Bosnia, Northern Ireland & Iraq. In November 2004 whilst working as part of a bomb disposal team in Iraq Neil was the victim of a suicide bomber. He is an inspirational speaker able to share his incredible story of survival, perseverance and overcoming adversity.

Both of Neil’s legs had to be amputated above the knee, which at the time made him the most seriously injured soldier to survive the wars Iraq and Afghanistan.  He was told that he would never walk again, but persevered despite this and endured a 5-year rehabilitation period. Remarkably, he learnt how to walk, went back to work and has since succeeded in several sporting and extreme challenges.

Neil has sought out adventure at every turn.  He has competed in triathlons, learned to ski and qualified as a scuba diving instructor.  He took part in an epic 51-day Atlantic row as part of the first disabled crew to complete this unsupported challenge.  A major achievement of Neil’s was becoming the first double above knee amputee to summit the iconic Matterhorn in the Alps, a 4478-metre mountain of technical climbing nature. He reached the summit on his third attempt in 2020, following two unsuccessful attempts in 2016 and 2018.

Neil founded Climb 2 Recovery (C2R) in 2016. C2R supports wounded soldiers in their rehabilitation.  The organisation uses climbing and adventurous challenge as a springboard to recovery.  C2R has helped numerous injured soldiers to find new careers and ambitions after service, by enabling them to gain qualifications in the outdoor industry,  where they can apply their skills, expertise and inspire others.

As a speaker, Neil draws on the many years he spent in the military, the grit and determination he showed when going through life-changing rehabilitation, as well as the many adventures he has had.