A former British serviceman – Ollie Thorn – who was paralysed in a road traffic collision, has become the first person to handcycle to Everest Base Camp, using only his upper body, taking on one of the most physically demanding environments in the world to raise vital funds for spinal cord injury research.
Our editor, Emma Purcell, got the opportunity to interview Ollie Thorn about his handcycle expedition, the challenges he faced and his hopes for finding a cure for spinal cord injuries.
On 18th April 2026, Ollie Thorn began a two-week journey to Everest Base Camp, travelling up to more than 5000 meters, where oxygen levels are significantly reduced, and conditions are extreme.
Paralysed from the chest down, Ollie completed the challenge as part of a team of six, covering hundreds of kilometres across high-altitude terrain, including steep mountain passes and remote plateaus.
The expedition was supported by the law firm that previously represented Ollie following his life-changing injury and helped ensure that all funds raised went directly to Wings for Life, a charity dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injury.
Ollie Thorn on being introduced to handcycling
Ollie’s life changed abruptly after he was involved in a road traffic collision while on weekend leave from the British Army, where he had begun training to become an Officer. He was left paralysed after being hit by a car while pulling out while riding his motorbike, breaking over 40 bones and spending the following month in a coma.
Speaking more about his accident, Ollie said:
“I was injured in a motorbike accident – a classic motorbike crash, in that someone didn’t see me and pulled out in front of me, and I T-Boned the vehicle at about 50mph. It was a big crash, which resulted in a medically induced coma for about a month, bed rest for five months and multiple surgeries. The lasting result was a complete spinal cord injury at T5 – meaning I’m paralysed from the chest down.
“In hindsight, the biggest challenge was being forced to associate with the word disability. I didn’t realise how negatively I viewed disability until I had one myself. I went from someone who felt like I had all the opportunities in the world to none.
“It was only through the support of others, individuals, charities and organisations who helped me to change this perception and get me back to living a life I’m happy with (however corny that sounds)”
Since completing rehabilitation, Ollie has rebuilt his life and taken on various endurance challenges. He has competed in professional downhill ski racing using sit-skis and now works as a keynote speaker and disability inclusion specialist.
Describing how he got into hand cycling, Ollie said:
“Using a wheelchair is pretty limiting on where I can go and what I can do. I saw how others were about to get out and enjoy the outdoors on hand bikes, and I was envious, which led me to have a go.
“I’ve found it is a brilliant way to get outside, have fun and stay fit and healthy. I’ve built up slowly from very short rides to longer rides with friends, and then a few longer fundraising rides for charities such as a multi-day ride from London 2 Paris for the charity Back Up.”
Read: Headway Helped Me Survive A World That Doesn’t Understand Brain Injury
Preparing to handcycle to Everest Base Camp
Ollie went on to explain what made him come up with the idea of taking on the challenge of handcycling up to Mount Everest base camp:
“I wanted to do something to raise both money and awareness, and a few mates and I came up with the idea to try and get to the highest point on Earth under my own power, which then led us to get curious about Everest. We discovered the route had recently become possible to ride across Tibet to Base Camp.”
“It was about doing something awesome, something I can look back on as a brilliant experience. It was about showing what is possible with a disability when you have the right support around you, and raising money for Wings for Life.”
With regards to preparations, Ollie continued:
“Preparations for the trip were pretty hard! The logistics of organising a trip to a remote part of the world with a spinal cord injury take a lot of time. Understandably, people get nervous about potential medical issues, so I had to do a lot of work to show I was able to do the trip both psychologically and mentally.
“I’ve travelled a lot with a disability, which helped show that I had experience to travel in areas like Tibet, and I had to train a lot to ensure I was physically ready. That involved a couple of years of building my fitness on the bike through structured training plans to get as fit as possible, whilst also ensuring I wasn’t carrying any excess weight, which would slow me down on the climbs.”
He added: “The biggest unknown variable was the altitude, so I worked with an altitude centre in the UK and did a lot of training at simulated altitude to help my body adapt before I travelled out to Tibet.
“I also worked closely with Chris at Draft Wheelchairs, who is a Guru on all things handbikes, and helped ensure my bike was set up for the long climbs and terrain we would be facing.”
The handcycle to Everest Base Camp
Ollie completed the two-week expedition to Everest Base Camp as part of a team of six, travelling from around 3,000 metres to over 5,200 metres through some of the world’s most demanding high-altitude terrain. The challenge involved covering hundreds of kilometres across steep mountain passes and remote plateaus in extreme conditions with significantly reduced oxygen levels.
Sharing his favourite moment of the expedition, Ollie said:
“It’s really difficult to pinpoint one moment as the whole trip was incredible. There was one decent moment, following a very long climb, that was overlooking a beautiful azure lake, which was absolutely beautiful.
“But what made the trip so special was the group I travelled out with. Having a spinal cord injury, I was the weakest physically, and it’s difficult being in a region where accessibility isn’t great. However, they removed all the barriers for me, and I was able to experience everything, from being carried up stairs in Monasteries to having routes re-planned – The lasting memory will be gratitude for the people I was with and the knowledge of what is possible with the right attitude and people.”
Sharing another memorable moment, he added:
“On the first proper day of cycling, I met a local living with a spinal cord injury, which was a privilege to share experiences and hear his story.”
Ollie also shared the true scale of how he managed the low altitude, not only while cycling, but also just when doing everyday tasks:
“The air is so thin that it feels like you’re constantly breathing through a straw. Everything from getting dressed, eating and moving around is harder – let alone riding a bike.
“I had to be incredibly careful that I stayed well within my limits because if you spike your heart rate, it’s really difficult to recover without the oxygen we have at lower altitudes. Adapting to that was the hardest element.”
Throughout the expedition, Ollie and his team shared regular updates, doing live videos on social media. On one occasion, they mentioned how they had to change course at a certain point.
View this post on Instagram
Ollie explained more details on this and how it affected the rhythm of their challenge:
“Tibet is a beautiful part of the world, but challenging to travel through due to restrictions on where you are allowed and not allowed to go. On a couple of days, we had last-minute changes to our routes due to restrictions from the authorities.
“One day, this meant we had to find an alternative route when we were halfway up a 25km mountain climb. So we all had to jump in a van and drive for two hours to another route, and then back on bikes straight into a 15km mountain climb.
“We were always expecting unknown challenges like this, but in the moment, it was frustrating to have the disruption – and it was bloody tough getting the arms moving again after 2 hours in the van. It also massively extended our day on the bike, which eats into energy for the next day.”
Ollie continued to share details on another particular challenge he encountered during his cycle:
“Spinal cord injury isn’t just about the wheelchair. The biggest challenges come from everything else – bladder, bowels and spasms.
“On the third day of riding, at the end of the day, I had a bowel accident which was likely due to a big shift in routine due to time difference, altitude, different diet and long days on the bike.
“I was gutted as I haven’t had one for ages, but you’ve got to just get on with it. In my opinion, fear of these moments can stop you from living life, but in the whole scheme of things, the wider experience creates the memories I’ll keep forever.”
Read: How Accessible Cycling Helped One Woman Regain Her Independence
Renewed hope is driving the challenge
For Ollie, the expedition was driven not only by his ambition for endurance, but primarily by a renewed belief that a cure for spinal cord injury is within reach. That perspective shifted last year, when a close friend with the same injury took part in a clinical trial and is now learning to walk again.
Emphasising what drove him to complete this challenge, Ollie said:
“I’ve always held ‘hope’ for a cure to spinal cord injury at arm’s length. I’ve seen too many people put their lives on hold waiting for a cure that has never come, which scared me.
“Last year, a close friend of mine with the same injury was involved in a medical trial which has seen incredible results – she can now walk small distances with a frame.
“Hope for a cure is now no longer just hope – it’s real, the science is progressing so quickly, and real change is coming.”
When asked if he would ever consider or be eligible for any medical trials to cure his spinal cord injury, Ollie replied, “Maybe – something I need to check out and research a bit more”.
Supporting a cure for spinal cord injury
Wings for Life is a national charity dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injury. The charity funds world-class research and clinical trials focused on regenerating damaged nerve cells and restoring movement, advancing progress towards treatments that could restore function after spinal cord injury.
100% of donations to Ollie’s fundraiser go directly to this life-changing research that bridges the gap between “paralysed for life” and “paralysed for now.
Reacting to the amount of money raised for the charity, Ollie said:
“This is why we did it – It feels incredible. All in, we are at about £35k now.
“I have two little kids, and it gives me a huge amount of pride to be able to add a small part to the journey for a cure. I’d love it if others didn’t have to experience the trauma I have, and on a selfish note, how amazing would it be to walk my little girl down the aisle when she grows up?”
Looking ahead to the possibility of taking part in future fundraising challenges, Ollie responded:
“I have two little ones at home (a two-year-old and a two-month-old), and an incredible wife, so my focus for the immediate future is them.”
He added: “But in my opinion, we have one life, so we need to make as many memories as possible, so no doubt I’ll be looking for something else in the future – if anyone has any ideas, please give me a shout – I’m all ears!”
Ollie finished by sharing some advice to other people considering taking on similar challenges:
“Do it!!! You can create amazing memories and learn so much about yourself. They’re awesome.
“But I know they’re pretty intimidating to plan, so my biggest advice is to speak to others who have done something similar. Reach out to people on social media – most people who have done something similar love to help others with their own challenges.
“There are also loads of charities that run fundraising challenges, which can be a great first step as they’re able to help a lot with the logistics. Good luck and drop me a message on Instagram if you want a chat.”
Ollie Thorn’s solicitor on his accomplishment
Peregrine Redgrave, Ollie’s personal injury solicitor at Stewarts, also praised Ollie’s resilience and achievements:
“It has been a privilege to see how far Ollie has come since meeting him in hospital after his motorcycle accident. Even then, it was clear he was determined not to let his catastrophic injury define him, and that he would go on to lead a fulfilling, albeit different, life.
“He showed incredible commitment to his rehabilitation, initially through the Army’s medical rehabilitation centre and later supported by interim payments we obtained from his claim, always striving to make the best of his situation. Losing his career so early was devastating, but it has been such a real pleasure to see how he has since dedicated himself to supporting others with disabilities.
“As a solicitor, you meet people at the worst moment of their lives during an injury claim, so witnessing Ollie’s achievements has been genuinely really humbling. His determination is infectious.
“Ollie has remained actively involved in sports since his injuries – racing across the world with the Armed Forces para-snowsports team, and riding from London to Paris alongside members of his legal team at Stewarts to raise money for charity.
“Sport is vital for physical and mental wellbeing, as well as making friends, and being in a wheelchair should not prevent anyone from taking part. It can be especially important as a strand of rehabilitation after a catastrophic injury. With accessible options like handcycling, the barriers become challenges to overcome, despite the sport’s immense physical demands. Ollie’s world-first accomplishment demonstrates exactly what accessible sport can make possible.”
You can continue to support Ollie Thorn’s mission by donating to his fundraiser. You can also follow him on Instagram @ollie.t5.