Stroke recovery will not stop University of Northampton student from climbing to Everest base camp

Surviving a severe stroke was just a walk in the park for an intrepid University of Northampton student preparing to trek more than halfway up Mount Everest.

Andy Ibbott will tackle the world's tallest mountain next year as part of a personal campaign to increase awareness and raise money for charity.

The sport and exercise science student has partial paralysis on his right side and aphasia, a language impairment, as a result of a stroke he suffered during a routine operation in 2011.

“One minute I was at the top of my game. The next, I couldn’t walk or talk and had to rely on others when I’d previously been so independent," he said.

"It might sound odd to anyone other than a biker, but even more depressing was the fact I could no longer ride bikes or coach others to do the same – I felt suicidal.

“But I knew I had to keep moving; I refused and still refuse to give in or give up and for the past decade, that’s exactly what I’ve been doing."

Andy spent six months in various hospitals for recovery and rehabilitation after the stroke but he has completed several projects to support his efforts and campaigning.

These include public speaking stints, appearing in BBC programme ‘Employable Me’, walking part of the gruelling Marathon de Sable in the Sahara desert and writing and getting published an update of a book he penned years before about his passion – motorcycle racing.

For his next challenge – in May next year – Andy will trek 5,364m to the base camp of Mount Everest in 15 days, taking him through Sherpa villages and some of the most spectacular views on the planet.

The motorcycle enthusiast aims to raise £10,000 for the charity Riders for Health, a network of bike-riding healthcare professionals who deliver supplies in Africa.

Andy said: “Sometimes people say they admire me for what I’ve done during that time, but it’s just me as I ‘keep on keeping on.’

"Riders for Health are the ones who deserve our admiration, so I hope people can spare a few quid to put towards bikers who literally go extra miles to help people.”

Andy's preparation includes a fitness and exercise regime tailored to his condition and physical needs.

He completes daily gym sessions, which have moved online due to the second lockdown, to develop his leg strength and increase the strength on his stronger, left side and also walks at least five miles each day.

Andy hopes to up that to 20 miles a day, all of which means a temporary halt to his degree studies which he will restart in September 2021.

Saul Cuttell, senior lecturer in sport science, added: “It’s great to see that Andy’s commitment and dedication to training for his epic trek next year match the input he gives to everything.

“As a student who has been learning all the requirements of training, such as physiology, psychology and fitness training, he has the unique opportunity to put in to practise his knowledge and skills in those areas.

“His story is already amazing and truly inspiring. His courage and determination to keep on going and to support other people with aphasia is just what we are used to seeing from him.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/andy-ibbott.