UPDATE - Last Tuesday the 10 of us met early to take on Up at The O2 Challenge. Due to heavy rain over night and continuing rain Tuesday morning, the surface of the O2 was too slippery and dangerous for the wheelchair to be taken across. Harry’s two sisters, Rosie and her colleague Carla and four students from The Green Room, went ahead and completed the climb.

Myself and my carer Moya are now returning on Tuesday 18th June, and hope the British weather is kind and stays dry for us.

I will keep the JustGiving page open until we have completed the challenge, as hope to keep raising more money for The Rosemary Foundation.

My name is Lara and I have cerebral palsy, which affects my ability to walk unaided. I am taking on the challenge to climb up the O2 in a specially adapted wheelchair, in memory of my good friend Harry Kennington. There are also 9 others climbing with me and they are, Harry’s two sisters Antonia and Laura, Rosie who was Harry’s PA & currently works at The Green Room, Moya who is my Carer/WingWomen, four students who attend The Green Room School and Carla who also works at The Green Room.

Harry and I met and become friends at Frensham Ponds Sailibility, where we were initially part of the Youth Group. We then both progressed to the Sailibility Race Team, where we had the opportunity to represent Team GB at the European Championships, held in Portugal in 2019. Harry showed enormous courage throughout his life. It was never about him, Harry always wanted to know how you were. I loved his quiet and witty sense of humour and his gentle smile.

Harry sadly passed away in July 2023, following a long battle with a brain tumour. In Harry’s honour I want to raise money for the Rosemary Foundation, which is a hospice at home service who cared for Harry and his family at the end of his life. We wish to raise funds for this amazing charity, and the incredible team that make such a difference to those life’s they come into contact with.

Harry was a huge Star Wars fan, and the O2 fits the theme perfectly.

I always feel slightly awkward about asking for charity donations and especially during these challenging times so, please, absolutely no pressure. That said, if this worthy cause is one that strikes a cord in some way with you, then I would be very grateful for any support that you feel you are able to give.

Many thanks Lara