In 100 day’s time, Rochdale local man Stuart Wildman, will be climbing Africa’s highest mountain as part of a charity team initiative to raise £1million for the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA).

The campaign, as documented by BBC Breakfast is called Martin’s Mountain, and follows Manchester Arena bombing survivor Martin Hibbert as he scales Mt. Kilimanjaro in a specially adapted Mountain Trike, having sustained a paralytic spinal cord injury in the 2017 attack.

Now, five years on from the incident, Stu will be joining Martin and his 11 other team members on a seven-day trip traversing the rocky and rugged path to the summit. With a goal of raising £1million for the charity and helping those who, like Martin, are facing similar life-changing spinal cord injuries.

Stu was part of a team of nurses that helped Martin through his recovery after the attack 5 years ago. Now, his role remains as instrumental as ever, as he will be joining the team in their week-long attempt across the rocky and rugged terrain.

As part of the run-up to the momentous Kilimanjaro challenge, the Martin’s Mountain team is encouraging the public to get involved too, and has launched the #MY19 social media campaign, challenging people to get away from their home desks and get outside in the fresh air for 19 minutes. These 19 minutes represent the 19,000ft of Kilimanjaro and the mountains that those living with spinal cord injuries must face every day.

To show your support for Stu and Martin and get involved with #MY19 challenge, follow 3 simple steps:
1. PARTICIPATE: Go outside for 19 minutes to enjoy some fresh air or exercise.
2. SHARE: Upload a photo or video of yourself during your personal challenge to social media using the ‘#MY19’ hashtag.
3. NOMINATE & DONATE: Nominate a friend to do their version of the #MY19 Challenge and then donate to Martin’s Mountain via the JustGiving page.

Martin Hibbert said of the challenge: “It’ll be the hardest thing I’ve 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 disabled people.”

Stu explains that his involvement in the climb came about as his at Salford Royal Major Trauma Centre meant that he was part of a team of nurses that treated Martin following the arena attack. Helping Martin recover from his injuries on the Major Trauma ward mean that, as Martin says, Stu saw him at his lowest point. Since the attack Martin remained a regular visitor at Salford and they remained in regular contact and in what was a difficult and atrocious event, became a fantastic friendship.

Stu has said, “Spinal injuries are life changing but not life ending, we owe it to people who have had spinal injuries to be able to achieve their goals and live a fun fulfilled life.”

“It’s an absolute honour and privilege to be part of this journey. After seeing what Martin has been through and his determination to overcome so many barriers, I cannot wait to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro with him.”

Against the backdrop of an enquiry into the Manchester Arena bombing, Martin is determined to turn the spotlight away from the people who tried to end his life and towards the charity that helped him rebuild it, to help others who are facing similar life-changing injuries.

Martin Hibbert said of the challenge: “It’ll be the hardest thing I’ve 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 disabled people.”