Help! information on climbing Kilimanjaro in a wheelchair required

Wednesday 14th February 2007

I have just received an email from a reader who is looking to climb Kilimanjaro in the middle of 2008. Nothing unusual about that, of course – except that amongst their party will be several people with learning disabilities – plus one person who is in a wheelchair.

The reader, Mr Tom Williams of Leeds University, wrote to me asking about the possibility of climbing Kilimanjaro with somebody in a wheelchair.

Which is where you may be able to help…

In the book, of course, we talk about Mr Jon Amos, who managed to reach a point beyond the Kibo Huts before being forced back by bad weather. However, this attempt was made a few years ago (his book about the expedition, To The Roof of Africa on Wheels, came out in 1999).

We’re therefore hoping that somebody out there may have more information on the subject. Maybe you know of someone who has tried to climb Kilimanjaro in a wheelchair? Maybe you yourself have tried to climb it in this way?

Any information that could help Tom and his party would be gratefully received.

Below is a section of Tom’s email that describes his plans for 2008, which gives more detailed information on the expedition.

‘The basic aim of the project is to raise funds to support elite British athletes with learning disabilities. We plan to take a group of 15-20 people up the mountain in July-October 2008 and will include sports science students, medics, staff from the centre for sport and exercise science (myself included), a couple of athletes with learning disabilities, a photographer, five individuals from key business partners and then possibly a biomechanics lecturer from the University who is in a wheelchair. Alongside our aim to raise £50,000 to support the athletes we are also looking to raise the profile of physical activity for people with learning disabilities and alongside our key business partners to promote awareness of health in the workplace.’

Kilimanjaro rubbish - good news >>