CHARITY
KRIS AVES Kris, an officer for the Met Police, was paralysed in the 2017 Westminster Bridge attack. Five years after sustaining the life-changing injury, Kris has climbed Mount Snowdon in aid of spinal cord injury charity, Back Up. On the day of the attack, Kris was picking up an award for his services to the police force. After making his way across the bridge to celebrate with his colleagues, Kris was hit by an SUV. This caused him to sustain a T3 level spinal cord injury. After his injury, Kris was supported by Back Up. The charity helped Kris learn wheelchair skills, and offered practical and emotional support through regular phone calls with others who have sustained a spinal cord injury.
When he was in hospital, Kris was focused on all the things he thought that he couldn’t do – from spending time with his family, to his favourite sport, golf. After getting in touch with Back Up, and having the confidence to return to the golf course and hit that first ball, Kris’s mindset changed. He now focuses on the opportunities in front of him: “Challenges are just that – challenges. They can be overcome,” says Kris.
So, when Back Up’s Snowdon Push challenge came round, Kris decided to push himself again.
“It’s that question of: ‘can I get further’? But I am just going to approach it milestone
41 | POLICE | DECEMBER 2022
by milestone. I want to spread the message that when life gives you lemons – make lemonade! When things get in your way, you can’t let them stop you.” On 17 September, Kris, alongside a group of friends and supporters, reached the summit of Mount Snowdon by using an adapted wheelchair. Kris climbed over 3,500 feet, covering nine miles of different terrain, to reach the summit, raising £17,577 for Back Up in his endeavours. Kris said: “‘The reason that I did the Push
is to raise vital funds for the Back Up Trust. Back Up were brilliant for me when I was in hospital, and I want to be able to give back to the people who gave to me. It’s been brilliant. What an amazing achievement that we got to the top!
“I’m feeling really good. I have just reached another milestone in my
wheelchair life. I was given a challenge, challenge accepted, and we got to the top – so I’m really happy!”
Abigail Lock, CEO of Back Up said:
“The Snowdon Push challenge is all about showing that life can be lived to the fullest after sustaining a spinal cord injury, and is a testament to what can be achieved when we work together. “Having Kris and his team taking on Mount Snowdon, just five years after he sustained his injury, highlights why that value is so important – it enables us to build our confidence and show all that we are capable of. To Kris, and all those who got involved with this year’s challenge, thank you for showing what’s possible after sustaining a spinal cord injury and raising vital funds so we can continue transforming lives.”
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