HE IS the Hampshire sporting hero who spent four days crawling to the top of Africa’s highest peak.

Now wheelchair rugby star Aaron Phipps, who lost both legs to meningitis, is in line for a top award after beating almost impossible odds to conquer the 19,341ft Mount Kilimanjaro.

Aaron was forced to abandon his all-terrain wheelchair and got down on his hands and knees to complete the gruelling challenge.

Now the 33-year-old father of two from Totton has been nominated for a JustGiving award after raising £20,000 for the Meningitis Research Foundation.

The prestigious awards are open to anyone who has used JustGiving to net vital funds for charity.

Aaron lost both legs and the tips of his fingers after contracting meningitis at the age of 15 but went on to represent Team GB at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

He said: “It can be a devastating disease but I’ve never let it stop me doing anything.

“It was an amazing experience to be part of the paralympic wheelchair rugby squad but I stepped down from that to spend more time with my family.

“I then set myself the ultimate challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for charity.”

As reported in the Daily Echo, Aaron conquered the peak in May this year, becoming the first British disabled person to climb Kilimanjaro without assistance.

He said: “As I got higher up the mountain my off-road wheelchair could no longer deal with the rough terrain, so I trekked for four days on my hands and knees.

“I’m over the moon to be nominated in the 2016 JustGiving awards.

“I want to raise awareness of the disease and the vaccine that could stop other teenagers suffering like I did.

"I’m hoping I can help make a difference and would encourage young people book an appointment with their GP to get the MenACWY vaccine.”

Young people going to university are particularly at risk because they mix with so many other students, some of whom are unknowingly carrying the bacteria.

Vinny Smith, chief executive of the Meningitis Research Foundation, said: “We are proud of Aaron for being nominated for this prestigious award.

“He really deserves to win, so every vote will count.

“We are also grateful to Aaron for raising awareness. By getting the free meningitis vaccine students are protecting themselves from a potentially deadly disease and protecting others by stopping the spread.”

Vote for Aaron in the JustGiving awards by going online and visiting http://bit.ly/2blfdZr.