In January, we reported that a wounded soldier from Wilmslow will set off on an unaided expedition to the Geographical North Pole as part of a group of military servicemen who have all been wounded in the line of duty.
Following months of preparation the time has finally come. The Walking with the Wounded team have arrived in Longyearbyen, Svalbard and will spend six days there acclimatising and preparing the kit.
Having graduated from university Captain Martin Hewitt, 30, proudly gained a commission into the Parachute Regiment. Over the following 5 years he served on operations and training exercises in Poland, Malawi, Kenya, Afghanistan, Oman, and the USA but during the summer of 2007 he was shot in the shoulder during a gun battle in Afghanistan. The bullet severed an artery and all the nerves to his right arm rendering it paralysed.
Speaking about his decision to take part in Walking with the Wounded, Martin said "Since my injury I've taken on a number of personal challenges to prove to myself that I can transfer my skill set and focus to other things.
"When I was told about walking with wounded I instantly wanted to get involved. I then told a few friends, colleagues and other disabled people about the plan and whilst some were positive about the challenge, others said it couldn't be done.
"Some would say that there's a good reason why no disabled person has ever walked to the north pole unsupported. I don't like being told something can't be done! I instantly thought that's it, the challenge is on."
The Walking with the Wounded Team who will take part in this unique expedition consists of 4 wounded servicemen, two of whom are amputees. They will be joined by two expedition leaders and a Norwegian polar guide. The team aim to make history and enter the record books as the first amputees to reach this remote destination.
On Tuesday, March 29th, the team aims to be dropped at a location around 85° to 86° N which is approximately 345 miles from the top of the world. This gives them 25 days to cover a maximum distance of 12nm a day, which is a tough but realistic endeavour during which they will journey through some of the most hostile conditions on Earth, enduring temperatures as low as -50C.
The route to the North Pole will not be straightforward. The team will have to navigate dangerous open water 'leads' as well as vast swathes of ice rubble and pressure ridges. The Arctic Circle is also home to the notoriously aggressive Polar Bear. All this means every step of the way is tricky and fraught with risk. Through this difficult terrain each person will be pulling their own gear, clothing and rations in sleds that will weigh in excess of 100kg.
Last week the team went to Downing Street to meet David Cameron and tell him all about the charity and the challenge they are undertaking. The Prime Minister was keen to show his support for the upcoming expedition and the ongoing need to help rehabilitate wounded service men and women. David Cameron signed a British flag and gave it to the team to take along with them on the expedition and plant at the finish line to mark their achievement.
Walking with the Wounded aims to raise £2m for identified education projects and training courses which specifically account for both physical and mental injuries sustained by servicemen and women. They have currently raised £417,773, so they still have quite a way to go to reach their goal of £2 million.
To make a donation in support of Walking With The Wounded visit the charity's website.
Expedition Patron, His Royal Highness Prince Harry commented: "The funds that Walking with the Wounded will - I hope - raise, with the public's support, will make a life-changing difference to injured servicemen and women from our Armed Forces, re-training and re-skilling them for their own challenging futures. I wish the Team the very best of luck."
Photo: (l-r) Captain Guy Disney, Captain Martin Hewitt, David Cameron, Private Jaco van Gass and Sergeant Steve Young.
