Martin Hibbert, the closest survivor to the Manchester Arena bombing, has received a specialist standing wheelchair from recruitment company Pertemps to support his growing public speaking and advocacy work.
Hibbert sustained severe spinal cord injuries when shrapnel severed his spine at the T10 level during the attack on 22nd May 2017, which claimed 22 lives at an Ariana Grande concert. The injuries left him paralysed from the waist down. He has since become Vice President of the Spinal Injuries Association and a prominent campaigner for accessibility and spinal injury awareness across the UK.
The wheelchair was funded by Tim Watts, Lifetime President of Pertemps, who developed a personal connection with Hibbert through their shared community work and wanted to support his ongoing efforts.
Tim Jones, Head of Marketing and Sponsorship at Pertemps, said: “Martin is an extraordinary individual whose resilience, positivity, and commitment to helping others are truly inspiring. We are proud to support him with this standing wheelchair, which we hope will help him continue his incredible work, both within the spinal injuries community and through his growing public speaking role.”
The equipment has already enabled Hibbert to stand for the first time since his injury, marking a significant milestone in both his rehabilitation and public engagement. Beyond mobility, standing wheelchairs can improve circulation and muscle tone while allowing users to interact with others at eye level, a feature that can enhance confidence during public appearances and everyday interactions.
Since the attack, Hibbert has built an extraordinary public profile. He scaled Mount Kilimanjaro in a specially adapted wheelchair alongside members of the medical team who saved his life, and authored the book Top of the World, which documents his journey from surviving the bombing to conquering Africa’s highest peak. He has also advised cast members of Coronation Street on the accurate portrayal of spinal cord injuries and continues to campaign for improved accessibility in Manchester.
Hibbert is now channelling his experience into establishing his own charitable foundation. He said: “Inspired by the work Watts does, I’m setting up my own foundation.” It will support people with spinal cord injuries who do not have a route to compensation, helping them access appropriate wheelchairs, adapt their homes, or obtain the rehabilitation they need. Spinal cord injuries are life-changing, but they do not have to be life-ending.”
The new wheelchair is expected to play a key role in meeting the physical demands of his travel and events schedule as the foundation takes shape.
An estimated 50,000 people in the UK are living with spinal cord injuries, and access to appropriate mobility aids remains a significant challenge. The Spinal Injuries Association, where Hibbert serves as Vice President, provides information, support, and services to affected individuals and their families, emphasising that with the right assistance, people can lead full and active lives.