Manchester Arena bombing survivor Martin Hibbert prepares to raise money for Kilimanjaro climb

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A MAN who was crippled in the Manchester Arena bombing is aiming to raise £1million for charity by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro this summer.

Martin Hibbert, who lived in Wibsey, was left paralyzed from the waist down as he and his teenage daughter were among hundreds injured in the terror attack on May 22, 2017.

He was standing just ten meters from the bomb when it exploded and suffered a T10 full spine injury.

Mr. Hibbert tackles the 19,000-foot climb in an all-terrain wheelchair, for seven days in June with a team of 12 people.

Their aim is to raise £1million for the Spinal Injuries Association, the national spinal injury charity which has helped him rebuild his life.

As part of the campaign, a new social media challenge, #MY19, has been launched to raise awareness of the inspiring climb of Kilimanjaro.

Martin Hibbert before a fundraising ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro. Photo: Nathan Young

He encourages people to step away from their desks and get outside in the fresh air for 19 minutes, posting a photo of their experience on social media, then nominating a friend and donating to the appeal of Martin’s Mountain via the JustGiving page.

Mr Hibbert is determined to shift the spotlight from the people who tried to end his life and to the charity that helped him rebuild it – and to help others facing similar, life-changing wounds their life.

He said of the challenge: “It will be the hardest thing I have ever done. But climbing Kilimanjaro is only part of the story.

“My true ambition is to enable every spinal cord injured person to receive the specialist care and support they need to live the life they choose and reach their full potential.

“I want to start a movement that will create a better and fairer society for people with disabilities.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Martin Hibbert, who was crippled in the Manchester Arena bombing.  Photo: Nathan YoungMartin Hibbert, who was paralyzed in the Manchester Arena bombing. Photo: Nathan Young

Nik Hartley, Managing Director of SIA, added: “As Martin has always said, it’s not about climbing a mountain in a wheelchair, but about drawing attention to the useless everyday ‘mountains’ to which he and 50,000 other spinal-injured people face in the British daily.

“Although living with paralysis, people with spinal cord injuries can still lead fulfilling lives. But at SIA, sadly, our phones are off the hook of our members, in despair at the very lack of basic care and support physical and mental, making a fulfilling life impossible.

“Martin’s challenge is to make too many people aware of this silent humanitarian catastrophe, right here in the UK.”

Visit martins-mountain.justgiving-sites.com to donate.

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