Up at the O2

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On the afternoon of 21st September 2025, Retina UK organised for their young adult peer support group to climb the O2. 

There was a group of young adults plus others who were supporting the group as we climbed. 

Meeting outside the venue at 13:15, we gathered for a safety briefing and got kitted up, with shoes, a harness and a jacket if we needed it. 


The climb

At the start, there were a few short flights of stairs to climb. Once the group made it to the start, a picture was taken then the climb began. 


(Image shows a group of people standing in front of the to O2. A few of the people are wearing Retina UK branded caps while others are wearing Retina UK branded T-shirts. Some people are holding long white canes and some are also warring sunglasses.) 


The bridge was suspended just above the O2 dome. The bridge is blue and depending where you are in relation to the top, it was either ridged to provide extra grip or smooth as the extra grip was not required because the incline was less. 


As more and more people started to walk on the bridge, the more it moved. So before the climb the the employee that was completing the climb with us, told us that it was best not to jump on the bridge. But this just made me want to do it more. 


As you approach the top of the dome, the London landscape comes into a clearer view. The tops of the buildings are at eye level. This provided the perfect opportunity to get some pictures that rely on perspective. 


(Image shows one of the young adults standing on the top of the O2, they are wearing a harness, blue clothes, a retina uk branded cap, and slightly tinted glasses. The picture is taken to make it look like they are holding the top of one of the buildings.)


All in all, it was a great day, a chance to chat with people that I hadn’t had a chance to meet or talk to in person before. To have had the opportunity to participate in this is amazing and something that I hope to be able to participate in again in the future.

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