Richard’s Story: Climbing Kilimanjaro for Back Up
19 November 2024
We’d like to say a big thank you to Richard for completing a massive challenge for Back Up – climbing Kilimanjaro!
Richard took on this challenge as a joint fundraiser for Samaritans and Back Up, in memory of his brothers Stuart and Mike.
When Stu was 17, he sustained a high-level spinal cord injury in a road traffic accident. Becoming a quadriplegic had a massive impact on his life, not just affecting his dexterity and mobility significantly. However, Richard says that Stu was determined to live life to the full.
“Stu was always rather bloody minded about being self-sufficient, and that didn’t change after he sustained his injury! Despite being told that he would never independently dress himself or get in or out of his chair and car, he learned how to transfer into a car without support, get back in his chair even from the floor, put key rings into his zips so he could dress himself, and even started his own business. If there was a problem, Stu would work his way around it.”
“He didn’t just ‘get by’ after spinal cord injury – he smashed it out of the park, in terms of what he achieved in life.”
In 1989, Stuart embarked on his entrepreneurial journey alongside his friend John Roney, establishing CJS to sell Chevron wheelchairs. Unwilling to settle for the status quo, Stuart’s confidence in his own abilities led him to manufacture his own wheelchairs, launching Cyclone Mobility in 1990.
Richard decided to mark his 50th birthday this year by taking on a challenge, alongside his friend Alistair, and in memory of his two brothers. He had completed previous challenges, including the national three peaks challenge, and was looking for a new opportunity. This led to the pair agreeing to climb Kilimanjaro together.
“I wanted to do something that meant something to me – so we agreed to do the challenge for Stu and Mike, raising funds for Back Up and Samaritans.”
“My thinking at the time was ‘if you’re going to do something, do it big’! And what’s a bigger challenge than Kilimanjaro the highest free-standing mountain in the world?”
If you’d like to take on your own challenge for Back Up, then check out our DIY fundraising page to get some tips and ideas. Or get in touch with our fundraising team by emailing Emily or calling her on 020 8875 6774. Whatever challenge you decide to take on will help us to continue transforming the lives of everyone affected by spinal cord injury – your fundraising can help make a difference!
