Late at night on Saturday April 16th, the Walking with the Wounded North Pole Expedition Team skied into the record books, as they became the first team of unsupported war-wounded amputees to reach the Geographical North Pole.
The Walking with the Wounded Team comprises of 7 people including wounded soldier Captain Mark Hewitt from Wilmslow. Captain Hewitt was shot in the shoulder during combat in Afghanistan in 2007, the bullet severed an artery and all nerves to the limb, rendering it paralysed.
He was joined on the unaided expedition by Captain Guy Disney (wounded amputee), Sergeant Steve Young (wounded) and Private Jaco Van Gass (wounded amputee), Inge Solheim (polar guide) and two expedition leaders; Ed Parker and Simon Daglish.
Captain Martin Hewitt, 30, said "We achieved our aim, set a world record and we hope we have proved what can be achieved with the right team and equipment and attitude. You can adapt and improvise and overcome challenges."
Remarkably, it has only taken the expedition team thirteen days to reach The North Pole, after battling temperatures of minus 38c and winds bringing the temperature down yet further, the Walking with the Wounded team have covered this unsupported expedition far quicker than most able bodied teams. The total distance covered has yet to be confirmed, but is in the region of 190 miles, across the frozen polar ice-cap.
However, the route to the North Pole was far from straightforward. At the start of the expedition, the team were delayed for four days after persistent bad weather conditions on the ice-cap at Barneo Ice Field. Despite these setbacks, the adventurers continued to make extraordinary progress by arriving at the North Pole three days ahead of schedule.
After receiving news of the teams success, charity Patron and final member of the expedition team, Prince Harry, was the first person to congratulate them via satphone, having spent a week with the team, four of these days out on the ice-cap, walking nearly quarter of the expedition distance.
Prince Harry said: "I'm absolutely thrilled that the guys have made it – what an awesome achievement. They should be incredibly proud of making this world record, as we are proud of them. I took part in only a small section of the trek, but know full well how physically demanding it was. The spirit and determination of these lads is second to none. They are true role models. And to reach the Pole early, well that's just showing off!"
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, had sent a letter of encouragement which was opened and read to the team as they arrived at the North Pole, he commented: "You've made it - many congratulations! Right now, you are - quite literally - on top of the world and flying the Union Flag. I am incredibly proud of you, as are all your supporters, friends and families back at home, and many more who you have not met but who, like me, have followed your adventure over the past days with awe, respect and great pride."
The Walking with the Wounded team opened a bottle of champagne, to toast Her Majesty The Queen which they had pulled nearly 200 miles across the ice-cap.
Expedition Spokesman, Alex Rayner, said: "It is incredible that the team were delayed three days at the start of the expedition, yet they have still arrived at The North Pole three days early. The Walking with the Wounded team have reached their goal faster than almost every able-bodied team I know, and frankly that doesn't surprise me in the slightest. The training and determination of the wounded boys just shows that injuries need not be a barrier to living a full and rewarding life."
The Walking with the Wounded expedition team of four wounded soldiers, two of them amputees, were short-listed to take part in the world record after a tough selection process and have been busy training for the last 12 months. Charity founders and expedition leaders Ed Parker and Simon Daglish had to be sure the team they selected could deal with the hostile Arctic environment.
The success of the expedition marks the first venture for Walking with the Wounded, which was founded in 2009. The charity aims to raise over £2m to re-train and re-skill wounded servicemen and women from the British Armed Forces.
To make a donation in support of Walking With The Wounded visit the charity's website.
Photo: Captain Martin Hewitt, courtesy of Walking With The Wounded.
