Home / Sports / Paralysed Veteran Conquers Everest Base Camp by Handcycle
Paralysed Veteran Conquers Everest Base Camp by Handcycle
1 May
Summary
- Former serviceman handcycled to Everest Base Camp, raising £35,000.
- Ollie Thorn completed the 435-mile journey at extreme altitudes.
- The expedition aims to advance spinal cord injury research for future mobility.
A remarkable two-week expedition saw former serviceman Ollie Thorn handcycle to Everest Base Camp, successfully raising around £35,000 for spinal cord injury research.
Thorn, who was paralysed from the chest down following a motorbike crash in June 2012, powered his handcycle across approximately 435 miles. The journey took him to altitudes exceeding 5,200 meters, where oxygen levels are significantly reduced.
His preparation included two years of dedicated training, utilizing a hypoxic machine to acclimatize to the extreme conditions. Thorn hopes his journey challenges perceptions of disability and demonstrates that an incredible life is still possible.
The funds raised are earmarked for the charity Wings for Life, which focuses on advancing spinal cord injury research. Thorn expressed a personal hope that future breakthroughs might enable him to walk his two-month-old daughter up the aisle one day.
