Basingstoke Care Home Resident Conquers London’s O2 and Smashes Fundraising Goal

A resident who lives at Roman House in Basingstoke, part of Salutem Care and Education, has completed an extraordinary challenge scaling the O2 in London in a wheelchair and raising an impressive £1000 for the Salvation Army.

With the backing of an incredible support team, including Christopher Bell who climbed with him, and the use of a specially designed off-road wheelchair provided by the O2 climbing team, Simon ascended to the 171 ft summit. From the top, he was rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of London’s iconic skyline.

Simon is no stranger to daring challenges. A self-confessed thrill-seeker, he has previously tackled abseiling, gliding, and quad biking, and already has his sights set on his next big adventure which he hopes will be zip lining. True to his fearless spirit, the extreme heights of the O2 did not faze him in the slightest; in fact, he loved every second.

Trudy Hobday, registered manager of Roman House, said: “This inspiring achievement is a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished with determination, courage, and the right support. Here at Salutem we are very proud to support Simon in living his life to the fullest and committed to empowering the individuals we support to push boundaries and achieve extraordinary goals.”

Beyond the personal triumph, Simon’s climb raised an impressive £1000 for the Salvation Army, a charity close to his heart. He said: “I always want to push myself and prove that I can do anything. It’s something different and I love the adventure. Adventure is for everybody and climbing the O2 was an amazing experience for me, and I hope it inspires others to do something different and push the boundaries.”