Young people who use wheelchairs have reached new heights at a specially adapted climbing session designed to make the thrill of indoor climbing accessible to everyone.

Aberdeen-based charities Charlie House and Transition Extreme joined forces to allow children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions to scale the 50ft high climbing wall, using a combination of hoists, pulleys and specialist support equipment.

With the help of specially trained instructors, the event reinforced the power of inclusive sport to build confidence, encourage independence and create unforgettable experiences for people of all abilities.

Finlay Sangster (20) has cerebral palsy and GMFCS (Gross Motor Function Classification System) Level 5 and uses a wheelchair.

The opportunity to join in and ride on the centre’s pump track like his brother Brodie had previously seemed like an impossible dream, until Transition Extreme staff stepped in.

They helped him to experience rock climbing in a kite harness – and for Finlay, having the opportunity to share the sensation with his brother was particularly special.

“I went right to the top in the kite chair! I also got to go on a wheelchair bike on the bike pump track. The staff pushed me around and my brother was also pushing me up and down the ramps,” said Finlay, who attended with his family.

“It was nice to do something with my brother and see where he gets his enjoyment from while experiencing this with him. The staff from Charlie House and Transition Extreme were very friendly and made everyone feel welcome. They made me feel my disability wasn’t a problem and they all worked around it. They were very accommodating.”

As Transition Extreme looks to roll out more inclusive sessions at its centre at Aberdeen beach, Finlay is hoping to have another go at climbing or riding an adapted bike on the skatepark.

“The Charlie House team help me with activities and I would like to do something like this again in the future,” he added.

“The staff from Charlie House and Transition Extreme were very friendly and made everyone feel welcome. They made me feel my disability wasn’t a problem and they all worked around it.”

The team of climbing staff hold nationally recognised climbing qualifications through Mountain Training, ensuring a high standard of technical competence and safety.

Jonny Lowit, the centre’s climbing wall manager, said: “We have a fantastic team who come from a mix of backgrounds and other professions, including qualified doctors, locksmiths, archaeologists and more. Using a mix of everyone’s individual skills we can use our staff team to deliver sessions which are totally inclusive.

“Using pulley systems and custom-made hoist seats for wheelchair users, we are able to offer climbing to everyone, regardless of ability.”

However, technical competency is only one part of the skills needed to host inclusive sessions.

“Our staff are understanding, kind, patient, and also advocates for our participants, without these skills our sessions would not be possible,” said Jonny. “Hosting inclusive climbing sessions is a real passion of ours at Transition Extreme and few sports can be as accessible as climbing and we want to make our sport accessible to anyone who wants to try, regardless of ability.”

Vikki McGregor, a children and family activity co-ordinator at Charlie House, organised the private event with Laura Simpson at Transition Extreme.

Vikki said it was important to be able to offer experiences like this to the children and families that Charlie House supports.

“The climbing and skate park sessions at Transition Extreme was a huge success and the feedback from families has been amazing,” she said. “When we got in touch to ask if we could run a private session the team were totally on board and the young people loved having the opportunity to climb and experience the skate park.

“We also wouldn’t have managed to do this without Gordon McGregor from GM4X All Terrain Wheelchairs Bike & Services.

“For many of our families, this was something they never thought would be possible to do as a family activity together. Working with Laura, Jonny and the team to make adaptations for every individual to allow them to have an incredible experience has allowed families to create lasting memories – and a taste for climbing and being on the skate park that many of our supported families now want to repeat!”

Joe Coleman, chief executive of Transition Extreme, said it had hosted several groups with additional support needs and physical challenges.

“We aim to be an inclusive and inspiring place for everyone who visits, and a destination for an unforgettable experience. It doesn’t matter at all if they aren’t able to climb or ride a bike or skateboard in the traditional sense.

“It is amazing to see everyone growing in confidence as they enjoy a really exciting, new experience. The success of the sessions and our partnership with Charlie House is testament to the commitment of the staff to learn and find ways of making adaptations while also ensuring everyone feels welcome and empowered.”

The adapted climbing sessions run for between an hour and an hour and a half.

Charlie House was established in 2011 to address the lack of specialist support available locally. Its services include a range of regular fully accessible and inclusive activities, activity short breaks, one to one and family therapeutic support, pre- and post-bereavement support and information and advocacy support.  The services improve the families’ mental health, wellbeing and resilience, helping them maintain positive relationships and enhancing their quality of life while enabling the whole family to enjoy the time they have together, however long or short that may be.