An epic challenge all about freedom, human power and fulfilling potential

designed to demonstrate the possibilities and potential held by disabled people around the world and highlight the importance of access to proper mobility equipment for independence and survival

In June 2012, 8 years after becoming paralysed, I will set off from London to travel 30,000 miles around the world in a wheelchair. Following an idea never before attempted, the record-setting 2 year adventure will cross four continents and almost every type of natural environment on the planet, from seas to deserts and everything inbetween.

“An epic challenge by a brave man battling to help people and make a difference” – Bear Grylls

It will be monumentally challenging. A unique journey that will be physically, mentally and technically intense, with a wide range of skills and equipment needed to overcome the myriad of obstacles along the way. The distance itself is daunting enough, but the logistics of traversing a natural world not designed for wheelchairs makes things infinitely more difficult. It will be huge in all respects. But it will also be an incredible experience with lots of stories, which I plan to share along the way.

Why

To raise £1,000,000 to fund mobility equipment for people affected by spinal cord injury around the world.

Since becoming paralysed I’ve continued an active and adventurous lifestyle, made possible only by access to special activity-specific adaptive equipment. Equipment that’s often financially unavailable to people already dealing with the added financial burden of living with a disability. Rather than being able to simply pull on a pair of hiking boots to go where they want, anyone in a wheelchair is simply unable to leave the urban enviroment without specialised equipment designed to navigate terrain more robust than concrete wheelchair ramps.

30,000 miles around the world in a wheelchair is designed to showcase this reliance on mobility equipment and how access to proper equipment is vital not only for freedom and independence, but often survival.

In developing nations the majority of people suffering spinal cord injury will die, not from initial injuries but from easily preventable secondary conditions caused by a lack of basic equipment. Often cast aside and literally left to rot in squalid conditions while bearing the full force of a social stigma towards disabilities, likely to not even have access to a wheelchair.

The Chutkara Initiative aims to help provide equipment for those suffering from spinal cord injury around the world, allowing them to enjoy the freedom of recreation away from concrete and the basic independence of mobility.

How

By any non-motorised means, almost. I’ll be setting off around the world with lots of different equipment to help me adapt to the geography along the route and keep going where a wheelchair isn’t a feasible option. Rather than fighting against the infinitely varying terrain throughout the journey, I plan to embrace it and use it to help wherever possible; I’ll kayak rivers and oceans, paraglide over mountain ranges, ski over snow covered plains, kite-buggy across deserts and handcycle remote trails to keep going. All that equipment is a bit too much to throw in a backpack so I’ll be accompanied by a support vehicle to act as a motorised pack-mule.

“Andy Campbell’s determination and tenacity is inspiring” – Eddie Izzard

Route

The route is split between two consecutive legs; UK to China and then Alaska to Chile. I will leave the UK and cross Europe by wheelchair, handcycle, kayak and paraglider. Following The Danube from it’s source in Austria to the Black Sea and Ukraine before heading onward to China, passing through Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Shipping the support vehicle, equipment and team members from China to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska the expedition will continue down to the Southern tip of Chile through The Americas.

It’s route, distance and method of travel make it a truly unique expedition never before attempted that will hold many challenges along the way, some highlights include:

Crossing the English Channel by kayak.
Source-to-Sea navigation of The Danube.
Paragliding across Kazakhstan.
Kite-buggying across the Gobi Desert.
Crossing the Great Wall of China in a wheelchair.
Avoiding bears whilst handcycling through Alaska.
Kayaking the Mississippi and Missouri rivers to The Gulf of Mexico.
Pushing a wheelchair through Central America on the Pan-American Highway.
Crossing the Darién Gap.
Reaching Tierra del Fuego, the southern most tip of South America.

Over the course of two years and 30,000 miles there’s an infinite number of highlights and challenges to come, many can’t be foreseen and will push my body, mind and equipment to their limits. I’m most apprehensive when thinking of the roads, dangerous enough for cyclists able to jump out of the way of erratic traffic, they provide the most dangerous sections in a wheelchair or handcycle. The route doesn’t search out remote areas away from roads and motorised transport just to make things more scenic, it’s often the safest option.

Inspiration

In 1985, paraplegic Rick Hansen set off from his home in Vancouver to push a wheelchair around the world in an effort to help people affected with spinal cord injury and paralysis in Canada. 26 months, 34 countries and 24,000 miles later he returned home having raised $26 Million for spinal cord research and quality of life initiatives.
27 years after Rick set off on his epic journey I’ll be setting off on my own, hoping to emulate his desire and determination to help lessen the impact of paralysis on people living with spinal cord injuries around the world.

Schools

I’ll be keeping in contact with schools around the world direct from the field throughout the expedition. Introducing them to other children, cultures and environments along my route and to help students feel closer to the global issues that will shape their future.
In doing so I hope to also teach them about striving to fulfil their own potential, to follow their dreams no matter the obstacles and provide a positive reference for many children who may never have encountered a disabled person.

“30,000 miles in a wheelchair is an extraordinary challenge. What Andy is attempting to do will inspire others that disability is no barrier to human spirit and endeavour” – Ben Fogle

Pushing The Limits

My name's Andy Campbell. Welcome to my blog.