More than HK$7.7 million was raised from a fundraising event in January named “Urban Climb 300M+”, whereby paraplegic rock climber Lai Chi-wai climbed the 320-meter-tall Nina Tower in Tsuen Wan.

The total proceeds include over HK$3.8 million donations from the public and corporate donors; as well as a dollar-for-dollar matching donation pledged by the tower’s owner, Chinachem Group.

Proceeds from the event - organized by Ignite Community Services and fully supported by Chinachem Group - is for the “Get up and Walk” program run by the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at The University of Hong Kong.

Chinachem Group’s CEO and Executive Director Donald Choi Wun-hing presented HKU the cheque of the matching donation, worth HK$3.8 million, today. (March 18)

The funds raised will be used to support the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology’s pioneering work in developing exoskeletons that can help paraplegics regain mobility, as well as other clinical services and research work to support the rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injuries.

“We hope this donation can help more spinal injury sufferers obtain this kind of life-changing assistance.” Choi said.

In the charity challenge on January 16, Urban Climb 300M+, Lai achieved a height of more than 250m in a ten-hour climb.

“Lai’s remarkable ten-hour climb of the tower, with his steadfast determination and using only the strength of his arms and upper body to haul himself up the ropes in his wheelchair, was made all the more challenging by strong winds and falling temperatures as the day wore on,” A Chinachem Group spokesman said.