A father who was paralysed in the Manchester Arena attack has been presented with a prestigious award that celebrates “inspirational” volunteers.
Bolton-born football agent Martin Hibbert – who was the closest casualty to the bomb blast to survive – suffered 22 shrapnel wounds and was left paralysed from the waist down when he and his teenage daughter were among the hundreds of people injured in the terror attack at Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017.
Since that horrific day, Martin has shown true fighting spirit and always made it his mission to “turn an appalling act of terror into a force for greater good” by raising worthy funds for Spinal Injuries Association (SIA).
Martin won his place in the hearts of the nation when scaled 19,308ft to the top of Africa’s highest mountain Mount Kilimanjaro in an epic expedition earlier this year.
Now a wheelchair user, Martin used a custom-built handbike for the challenge – which he said he was inspired to do after learning that only one in three people with spinal cord injuries receive treatment at specialist centres.
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Martin credits his recovery to support from the association and the dedicated care he received by staff at Salford Royal Hospital, and as a fitting tribute to the people who “changed [his] life” and “put [him] back together”, he completed the challenge alongside his friend Stuart Wildman – a consultant nurse who cared for him from the very beginning in the Major Trauma Unit at Salford Royal.
Martin says his work as an SIA trustee offers “hope, confidence, and practical skills” to other people paralysed by spinal cord injury, and helps to “move mountains” in promoting optimism and inclusivity for life after injury.
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So far, Martin has raised over £800,000 for the SIA – but is looking to reach his target of £1 million.
And now, with his fundraising target firmly in sight, the 45-year-old has been presented with the prestigious Prime Minister’s ‘Points of Light’ award – which is given to outstanding and inspirational volunteers making a difference in their community to “celebrate, encourage, and promote” volunteering and the value that it brings to the country.
— Spinal Injuries Association (@spinalinjuries) October 14, 2022
He was presented with the award by Chorley MP and Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lyndsay Hoyle, at Chorley Town Hall last Friday.
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“It’s an honour to receive the Points of Light Award for my Kilimanjaro climb,” Martin said on receiving his award last week.
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it is only part of the full story. Because we all have our own mountains to climb every single day, my true ambition is to enable every spinal cord injured person to receive the specialist care and support they need to live the life they choose and reach their full potential.”
Sir Lyndsay said Martin’s bravery and determination is ‘truly inspirational”, and that he represents everything the award stands for.
Manchester Arena bomb survivor Martin Hibbert has been given a 'Points of Light' Award for his campaign to raise awareness for people with spinal cord injuries.
Keen to show your support to Martin? All donations towards Martin’s target of raising £1 million for the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) can be made via his official JustGiving page here.
— Barefoot Spooky Bartender 👣💀🍹 (@barefoottiki) October 10, 2024
“Be assured there won’t be 14408mph winds, hurricane force winds or overnight temperatures of 404°C.
“It is being looked at and hopefully sorted asap.”
BBC Weather shared: “You may have noticed some data issues on our app and website. We are working hard to fix it quickly. Sorry – please bear with us.
“In the meantime here are Thursday’s weather headlines: -Colder, clearer air moving in -Rain and drizzle in south -Blustery showers near east coast”
And national treasure Carol Kirkwood said live on air: “We are having a technical glitch at the moment. It’s showing wind speeds far too fast, in fact, hurricane strength and that is not the case at all.
“Please don’t be alarmed. We are aware of it and on it.”
At the time of writing, the BBC Weather forecast service is still predicting hurricane force winds for the UK. Eek.
BBC issues statement after UK forecast shows ‘hurricane force winds’ up to 14,000mph
New 44-storey skyscraper proposed that could change one of Manchester’s most famous views
Emily Sergeant
Plans for a massive new 44-storey residential skyscraper in the heart of the city centre have been revealed.
But does this mean it could change one Manchester‘s most famous views?
Located on what has been referred to as a “prominent site” adjacent to Deansgate train station and Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop at Whitworth Street West, these dramatic proposals would see the development of 364 apartments set over 44 storeys – with more 7,750 sq ft of active space on the ground, first, and second floor levels.
Developers Glenbrook say the building has been designed to “respond to the city’s heritage”, most-notably through its three-storey arched terracotta colonnade at street level.
Well-lit new green spaces, the enhancing of existing pedestrian routes, and seamless integration with the surrounding communities, all form part of the landscaping proposals for the bold new project.
“As a Manchester-based developer, we are excited about the prospect of embarking on a landmark development in the heart of our city, admitted Daniel Roberts, who is the Development Director at Glenbrook, as the proposals were unveiled this week.
“Whitworth Street West is undergoing a period of revitalisation, and Glenbrook are incredibly proud to be playing such an integral part in its future.”
A CGI of a proposed skyscraper on Whitworth Street West in Manchester / Credit: Glenbrook
A public consultation on the plans has now been launched, and will be live up until 28 October, as well as a dedicated in-person event, where representatives from Glenbrook and the design team will be on hand to answer questions and gather feedback, scheduled to take place at HOME MCR on First Street from 3:30-7:30pm on 15 October.
Residents, businesses, and interested stakeholders will have the opportunity to view the plans in detail, and provide their thoughts on the proposals.
The view of what Whitworth Street West currently looks like in October 2024 / Credit: The Manc Group
According to developers, the feedback gathered during the consultation will play a key role in shaping the final planning application – which will be submitted to the Manchester City Council in the coming months, and ultimately ensure the development meets the needs of the community.