A Belleville man has taken his fight for mobility to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

John Cairns, who lost his right arm and right leg in a workplace accident in 1992, completed his first Climb for Mobility Tuesday. 

In a blog post following the climb, Cairns stated the climb tested his physical, mental and psychological boundaries, but that the continuous support of the Quinte community made every step worthwhile.

“I reached numerous extremes of sheer exhaustion, pushed the physical, mental, and psychological human boundaries that resembled a place when I was fighting for my life 23 years ago,” he wrote. “However, reciprocally, I attained heights of the ultimate experience of success and humility of achievement!”

Cairns began the climb with Tanzania Tourism Ambassador Macon Dunnagan from Charlotte, N.C. Aug. 1 and is expected to return home Aug. 16.    

He is a motivational speaker and founder of the Wheelchair of Hope Foundation, raising funds and awareness to help give the gift of free mobility devices to those who need them.

A Go Fund Me campaign has been set-up, with a goal of raising $10,000 to cover the cost of the climb and support the foundation. 

To learn more or to donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/climbformobility or like the Wheelchair of Hope Foundation on Facebook.