Few people have shown such long-term dedication to achieving a goal as Norman Croucher. Despite walking on two below-knee artificial legs, he took up mountaineering and eventually fulfilled his ambition of climbing one of the fourteen mountains of the world which exceeded 8,000 metres (26,250ft). Along the way he twice walked from John O'Groats to Land's End for training, and made a score of ascents in the Alps, including the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and the Eiger. So far he has climbed over eighty mountains. Norman's greatest triumph was achieved when, without bottled oxygen, he climbed the sixth highest mountain in the world, Cho Oyu in Tibet, which stands at 8,201 metres. On the descent he survived a night out alone at 7,800 metres without a tent or sleeping bag by removing his legs and settling down inside his rucksack.

Norman has twice been honoured as Man of the Year, and alongside Falklands veteran Simon Weston he received a special Men of the Year's award for continued achievement in celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the scheme. He has been a subject of a 'This is Your Life' programme, and because of his voluntary work for disabled people he was made an OBE. Chris Bonnington wrote of him "There is no one like him, his extraordinary achievements have earned him a place in climbing history. He is very funny as well as incredibly courageous". Other comments include "Yours was only the second standing ovation in the history of the society .." "..the best and most amusing presentation they had ever attended.."