A MAN who was paralysed in the Manchester Arena bombing says he is proud after reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in his wheelchair in a charity challenge.

Martin Hibbert, 45, who used to live in Wibsey, Bradford, was paralysed from the waist down when he and his daughter Eve, then aged 14, were among the hundreds injured in the terror attack on May 22, 2017. Mr Hibbert and Eve were six metres away from suicide bomber Salman Abadi when he detonated his device which killed 22 people.

 

Mr Hibbert reached the top of Mount Kilimanjaro last weekend with the aid of a personal team of helpers and local guides and porters.

They broke into singing and dancing after a gruelling trek to the top of the 5,685m (18,652ft) high snow-capped summit in Tanzania.

Mr Hibbert is almost halfway to his £1 million target for the Spinal Injuries Association.

He said: "I could just see the sign at the top. I didn't know whether to laugh, cry ... it was such a relief to get there and know that we had done it. Something I will always remember. Just so proud.

 

"I said we will all come back as different people and I certainly will do, just the love and that. I'm definitely a different person going home and I think everyone else will be as well.

"You know it doesn't stop here, we've climbed a mountain but we now need to move mountains to get what we need in terms of social care change, changes in accessibility, things like that, so I'm going to need all these people to continue giving me that love and support.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Martin Hibbert, who was left paralysed after the Manchester terror attack, is pictured with former former paralympian Richie Powell. Picture: Martin HibbertMartin Hibbert, who was left paralysed after the Manchester terror attack, is pictured with former former paralympian Richie Powell. Picture: Martin Hibbert

"That's why I'm doing this to show, don't write off somebody because they're in a wheelchair, look at what they can do when they've got the right help and support, they can climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

"Hopefully, doing this has highlighted just how important help and support is."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Martin Hibbert during training for his Mount Kilimanjaro challenge. Picture: Spinal Injuries Association Martin Hibbert during training for his Mount Kilimanjaro challenge. Picture: Spinal Injuries Association

In a poignant moment at the summit, Mr Hibbert, who now lives in Chorley, Lancashire, spread some of his mother Janice's ashes. She died in November last year, and he said: "I said she was going to be with me. Love you mum."

He has worked with the Spinal Injuries Association as a trustee to offer hope, confidence and practical skills to other people paralysed by spinal cord injury.

Go to martins-mountain.justgiving-sites.com to make a donation.