A DAD who conquered Africa's highest peak in a wheelchair has been congratulated by a Hampshire paralympian who performed a similar feat six years ago.
Aaron Phipps has saluted the "amazing" achievement of Martin Hibbert, who was left paralysed from the waist down in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017.
He and his daughter Eve, then aged 14, were just five metres away from suicide bomber Salman Abedi when he detonated his device.
Mr Hibbert, 45, of Chorley, Lancashire, used a specially-adapted wheelchair to reach the top of the 5,895m Mount Kilimanjaro.
Taking to social media to congratulate him Aaron tweeted: "Amazing news. Well done."
Aaron, 39, of Totton, defied the odds to complete a similar challenge in 2016. When his off-road wheelchair was unable to cope with the increasingly rough terrain he crawled to the top of Kilimanjaro on his hands and knees.
He scaled the mountain in aid of the Meningitis Research Foundation and the Shaw Trust, which helps disabled people find work.
Recalling the experience he said: "I never expected to crawl for four days but there was no way I was getting carried. Nothing like the feeling when we knew we'd made it - incredible."
READ MORE: Manchester Arena bombing survivor hopes to "move mountains" for disabled people
Aaron was 15 when he lost both legs below the knees, plus the tips of his fingers, after contracting meningitis in 1999.
He felt unwell on his first day back at school after the Christmas holidays and collapsed at home.
His mother spotted a rash on his chest and did the “tumbler test” to check for meningitis. When the spots did not fade under pressure she realised Aaron was dangerously ill.
An hour later he was on a life-support machine.
Determined to overcome his subsequent disability he started competing in wheelchair racing in 2007. He was subsequently introduced to wheelchair rugby and first represented Team GB at the London 2012 Paralympics.
Aaron helped the UK win gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and was made an MBE in the 2022 New Year Honours.
He was recently presented with his award by Prince William, which he described as a "humbling and unforgettable experience".
Mr Hibbert is raising funds for the Spinal Injuries Association. To donate visit Martin's Mountain JustGiving page
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