On Tuesday 14^th July at 6:30am, Akshay Pabary successfully reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s highest freestanding mountain, together with his father, raising over £2,800 for Aspire, a national charity that provides practical help to people who have been paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury.   Akshay, who is aged 18 and lives in Newcastle, decided to undertake the climb last summer following a spinal fusion operation after which he was physically unable to move for a week.
 

Akshay said: “My small, personal insight into the stark reality of chronic pain, loss of independence and the need to rely on others was, without doubt, my main reason for supporting Aspire.  I learnt that the physical pain was just a small part of the problem and how the frustrating lack of independence can often be the most soul destroying.  However, this is where Aspire can change lives, with the ability to allow patients to regain their independence and live the lives they choose.”

When Akshay arrived back in Newcastle he said: “It was truly an amazing and unforgettable experience and it was an honour to fundraise for Aspire.  I can safely say it was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life, but something I can look back on forever.”

To read more about Akshay’s story or to donate go to: www.justgiving.com/AkshayPabary/

To find out more about Aspire go to: www.aspire.org.uk