Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 07:26 pm
On Wednesday 21 June 2023, Ben Spencer, also known as the Tube Snapper, embarked on his toughest challenge yet – the climb of Mount Snowdon [Yr Wyddfa] in Snowdonia National Park. Ben, who has Ataxia, a progressive neurological condition, used a range of mobility aids including sticks, a rollator and a wheelchair to complete the gruelling 16 hour journey, accompanied by a team of five volunteers.
Ben’s journey was made even more remarkable by the fact he used wheelchair accessible transport, including a London Bus, The London Underground, the Elizabeth Line, Mainline Trains and the Snowdon Sherpa bus service to reach base camp in Wales.
The climb was undertaken to raise awareness and funds for Ataxia, a condition which affects 10,000 adults and 500 children in the UK and has no cure. Ben’s journey has been supported by Ataxia UK, who provide support to families affected and fund research to find treatments.
Ataxia UK CEO, Sue Millman, said: “Most people can’t conceive the access problems for disabled people when using public transport, unless they’re disabled themselves or they have had close contact with somebody who is disabled. The simplest journeys can become complicated by one or two steps, or the lack of dropped curb. We should create an accessible world for everybody.”
Ben’s journey has been covered by many news outlets, including BBC and ITV, and his social media following now includes TFL, The London Transport Museum, BBC TV and Radio, Euronews Travel and Transport.
A video explaining Ben’s fund and awareness raising efforts can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYntt-a6GHA and for more information on Ben and his journey, visit www.snowdon4ataxia.com. For more information about Ataxia, see www.ataxia.org.uk.
Ben Spencer, otherwise known as the Tube Snapper, has completed an incredible climb of Mount Snowdon [Yr Wyddfa] in Snowdonia National Park, using a range of mobility aids, including sticks, a rollator and a wheelchair. The climb was a 16 hour journey, supported by a team of five volunteers and was undertaken to raise awareness and funds for Ataxia, a progressive neurological condition which affects 10,000 adults and 500 children in the UK and has no cure.
The journey began with Ben using wheelchair accessible transport, including a London Bus, The London Underground, the Elizabeth Line, Mainline Trains and the Snowdon Sherpa bus service to reach base camp in Wales.
Ataxia UK CEO, Sue Millman, said: “Most people can’t conceive the access problems for disabled people when using public transport, unless they’re disabled themselves or they have had close contact with somebody who is disabled. The simplest journeys can become complicated by one or two steps, or the lack of dropped curb. We should create an accessible world for everybody.”
Ben’s remarkable journey has gained international news coverage and he has used this to raise awareness of his condition and the need for improvements in accessible travel within the capital and beyond.
A video explaining Ben’s fund and awareness raising efforts can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYntt-a6GHA and for more information on Ben and his journey, visit www.snowdon4ataxia.com. For more information about Ataxia, see www.ataxia.org.uk.
On Wednesday 21 June 2023, Ben Spencer, otherwise known as the Tube Snapper, completed a remarkable climb of Mount Snowdon [Yr Wyddfa] in Snowdonia National Park. Ben, who has Ataxia, a progressive neurological condition, used a range of mobility aids including sticks, a rollator and a wheelchair to complete the gruelling 16 hour journey, accompanied by a team of five volunteers and using wheelchair accessible transport.
The climb was undertaken to raise awareness and funds for Ataxia, a condition which affects 10,000 adults and 500 children in the UK and has no cure. Ben’s journey has been supported by Ataxia UK, who provide support to families affected and fund research to find treatments.
Ataxia UK CEO, Sue Millman, said: “Most people can’t conceive the access problems for disabled people when using public transport, unless they’re disabled themselves or they have had close contact with somebody who is disabled. The simplest journeys can become complicated by one or two steps, or the lack of dropped curb. We should create an accessible world for everybody.”
