Disabled adventurer's mountain climb hits screens

Nick Wilson completed the climb of Snowdon in a specially engineered mobility chair

A short film telling the story of a record-breaking mountain climb by a disabled adventurer will be shown at a special screening next month.

The film follows Nick Wilson from Towcester, Northamptonshire, as he ascends Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon.

He is the first disabled person to climb the mountain solo using a purpose-built all-terrain powerchair.

"This isn't just my story. It's about showing what's possible when lived experience meets inclusive engineering," Mr Wilson said.

The film will be shown at the Royal & Derngate theatre in Northampton on 21 August.

The chair was designed by the motorsport specialist company, Rock Engineering, specifically for the climb

Former soldier Mr Wilson, 48, served in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan before being forced to retire with severe spinal injuries.

The film, titled Project RockClimber, explores his journey through chronic pain and mental health struggles, and how collaboration with Rock Engineering led to the creation of the RockClimber, a prototype mobility device designed for extreme environments.

He completed the climb in July 2024.

"The chair saved my life, and now we want to use it to show how accessibility can be approached differently, with hope and ambition at the centre."

The screening will also support the Wheelchair Alliance, a national campaign for improved access and visibility for disabled people.

Jo Gordon, chief executive of Royal & Derngate, said: "It's great to be able to support the invaluable work [Nick Wilson] is doing to champion accessibility – a subject which is so important to us here at Royal & Derngate."