Bomb victim’s 10k in aid of spinal unit
AMAN who was left paralysed from the waist down after the Manchester Arena bombing says he “wouldn’t be here” without Southport Spinal Unit at Southport Hospital.
This Sunday – two days before the first anniversary of the bombing – Martin Hibbert will take part in the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run in a racing wheelchair.
He is seeking to raise funds for Southport Spinal Unit, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Salford Royal.
Martin, 41, was standing just 10 yards away when the bomb was detonated at the Ariana Grande concert. He was the closest person to the explosion to survive.
His injuries were described as the equivalent of “being shot 22 times at point blank range”, when his body was riddled with nails and bolts. He was told he might never walk again, but the football agent has been working hard to defy the odds and is determined to make a full recovery.
He is hoping to finish the 10k in under an hour, alongside Paralympian Richie Powell and best friend Lee Freeman.
Martin said: “With it being so close to the anniversary of the attack, I just had to come and take part in the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run.
“I want to show the terrorists that they aren’t going to stop me doing anything and it has in fact made me even stronger and determined to prove them wrong.
“It’s going to be a huge challenge for me to use my arms to push myself around the course, but I will do it.
“Richie and Lee have been a huge support and have been at my side throughout the whole of my training and it will be a proud moment for me personally when we cross the finish line.”
Martin recently underwent pioneering treatment in Australia to help him in his mission to walk again. He saw progress in just two days when he regained movement in his toes.
He has more treatment planned this year, but in the meantime has set up the Martin Hibbert Charity Foundation to raise £1m for the hospitals that saved his and his daughter’s lives following the horrific attack which claimed the lives of 22 people.
Martin, from Bolton, said: “I wasn’t sure how much money I could raise, and then Richie suggested we go for £1m in the first year.
“The money will go to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Salford Royal and Southport Spinal Unit, because without them we wouldn’t be here.
“It’s a huge amount of money, but if I can raise that for them it would be incredible.
“There are lots of people taking on the 10k to raise money and I’m so overwhelmed by the support I’ve received so far.
“Without this help the future would look very worrying and after going through what we’ve been through over the last 12 months, worrying about finances is the last thing I want to be wasting time and energy on.”
A one minute’s silence will be observed at the start line of the run, to remember those who lost their lives in the atrocity.
To support Martin’s fundraising effort, visit www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/themhcf