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Woman who has never walked climbs O2 Arena

Alice Cunningham & Wayne Bavin
BBC News, Suffolk
Contributed A selfie of Amber Donovan, Kayleigh Jennings and another woman outside the 02 Arena. Ms Donovan has pink hair in the style of a bob and wears sunglasses. Ms Jennings has black curly hair and wears sunglasses. They all wear white T-shirts that read Amber's 02 Climb Crew.Contributed
Amber Donovan (middle) climbed the O2 Arena with her support worker Kayleigh Jennings (left) and several other people who help support her

An artist who has never been able to walk has climbed the O2 Arena roof to raise money for charity.

Amber Donovan, from Bury St Edmunds, has cerebral palsy and is a full-time wheelchair user.

She enjoys Suffolk Artlink's Brave Art programme, which allows those with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people to try out creative opportunities.

With a special wheelchair and a team behind her, Ms Donovan climbed the O2 in London to fundraise for the charity, which, she said, "means a lot" to her.

Prior to the feat, she said she was "not scared, but a little bit nervous".

Contributed Another selfie of Amber Donovan, Kayleigh Jennings and another woman outside the 02 Arena. Ms Donovan has pink hair in the style of a bob and wears sunglasses. Ms Jennings has black curly hair and wears sunglasses. They all wear white T-shirts that read Amber's 02 Climb Crew.Contributed
Ms Donovan said she felt nervous prior to her climb on Wednesday morning

Ms Donovan's support worker Kayleigh Jennings was a part of the team climbing with her.

"She's going to go in a special wheelchair and a lovely man is going to pull her to the top," Ms Jennings explained.

"She's doing it for a good cause for Brave Art because they need some money to put on some more courses."

Ms Donovan set herself a fundraising target of £500, but has so far raised more than £1,400.

Suffolk Artlink's Charlie Meyer described Ms Donovan as a "talented, expressive and playful artist".

"She has discovered a love of collage and is never afraid of experimenting and trying new things," she said.

"Her work is often themed around the jungle, the sea and the beach.

"With each new piece she adds new ways of working, building up layers of fabric, sand, paint, shells, paper and whatever else she can find.

"There is always so much to discover in Amber's work."

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