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Martin’s Mountain

1920. Martin Hibbert

Martin Hibbert, from Chorley, was paralysed in the Manchester Arena Bombing alongside his daughter Eve, and has since created a charitable appeal ‘Martin’s Mountain’ to support other people living with debilitating injuries.

Martin Hibbert

Martin and Eve were five metres away from the explosion, with twenty-two bolts of shrapnel entering his body and causing a T10 spinal cord injury. Despite the devastating news of being told he would never walk again, Martin has been determined to inspire others through adversity, taking on challenges such as the Great Manchester Run and highlighting the work of ‘Spinal Injuries Association’, the charity which aided him through his care and helps give people with spinal cord injuries new life opportunities. Martin is now set to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in June, raising over £430,000 for the ‘Spinal Injuries Association’ through his ‘Martin’s Mountain’ appeal, and will be climbing the mountain in a modified wheelchair with two nurses who helped with his recovery.

Martin’s award comes ahead of the 5th anniversary of the Manchester Arena Bombing on the 22nd May.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, MP for Chorley, said:

“Fantastic to see Martin setting off on this amazing endeavour to highlight the work of the ‘Spinal Injury Association’ and to raise funds for them.

“His bravery and determination are truly inspirational and he has both my admiration and utmost respect.

“I wish him the very best of luck and look forward to meeting him on his return to Chorley when I will have the honour of presenting him with a Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award.”

Martin said:

“It’s an honour to receive the Points of Light award for my upcoming Kilimanjaro climb. It will be the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it is only part of the full 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. Because we all have our own mountains to climb every single day. I want to start a movement that will create a better and fairer society for disabled people.”

Photo credit: Nathan Young Photography

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