On 28 June, a team from Kingsley Napley and spinal cord injury charity Back Up struggled against wind, rain and mist on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) to climb to the summit (or near enough!) with Maia, a spinal cord injured 16-year-old, in a wheelchair.
This was a considerable challenge – not helped by the weather causing tough slippery conditions. The event is called ‘The Push’ and is organised by Back Up each year, with several teams competing in a race up and down the mountain with a spinal cord injured individual in a wheelchair. The purpose is to raise funds for this wonderful charity which provides fundamental and often life-changing support to spinal cord injured individuals.
The Kingsley Napley Medical Negligence and Personal Injury department, headed by James Bell, decided to put a team together this year. The department supports the Family Team at Back Up which provides exceptional tailored support to the family members of spinal cord injured individuals. You can find out more about the Back Up Family Team in a podcast series here where James Bell speaks to two team members, Nicole Scott and Poppy Chamberlain about their work.
Maia’s sister Floran works for the Back Up Family Team and joined us on the mountain for the Push. Maia was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, a rare spinal cord condition, at 13 years old having suddenly lost movement from the waist down.
After months in hospital and rehab during the COVID-19 pandemic, she found vital support through Back Up, which helped her regain confidence, build friendships, and adjust to life post-injury. Now an active mentor and youth leader, Maia wanted to give back to the charity that helped her, and the Kingsley Napley team took on the Push not only to raise funds but also to celebrate Maia’s journey. Maia was transported up and down the mountain using a rope pulley system in an adapted wheelchair.
Despite the considerable demands of this challenge the team made it close to the top (but were not allowed to go any further due to the treacherous weather conditions), and back down again – which was in many ways more difficult!
James Bell said :‘We were thrilled to take part in The Push 2025 and to have raised over £6,700 for Back Up. Working as we do with spinal cord injured individuals as clinical negligence and personal injury lawyers, we know only too well the considerable hurdles that often need to be overcome and how invaluable Back Up and it’s services are to so many.’
Floran Steeples, sister of Maia Steeples said "I’m filled with so much gratitude for the incredible team at Kingsley Napley for their selfless efforts in leading myself and Maia up Yr Wyddfa on 28th June.
Truth be told, I don’t think we could have pulled together a team to take on such a huge challenge on our own. Before the climb, Maia would be cautious of even the smallest obstacles — a speed bump, a lip on a doorway, or a step in or out of the house. After what she now describes as "definitely exposure therapy," she’s come away from the experience far more confident in her wheelchair skills. Now she’s flying over curbs and uneven pavements with confidence!
Both Maia and I wholeheartedly believe in the work Back Up does — but at the heart of Back Up are the volunteers. People like the incredible KN team who give up their weekend to do something truly life-changing.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts to James, Katie, David, Sacha, Asha, Ellis, Isabella, and Kaylan. None of this would have been possible without you.”
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