News
Prince Harry shows his support for the Walking with the Wounded expedition
19th March 2010
Prince Harry revealed his support for a North Pole expedition by injured servicemen today.
The Prince today announced that he would become Patron of Walking with the Wounded, which is an expedition by a team of amputees from the Armed Forces to the North Pole.
The expedition campaign was set up this year to raise a target of £1million to rehabilitate injured service personnel back into employment.
As details of the record attempt were unveiled at a launch event at the Rifles Club in West London, Prince Harry said he would like to join the team in the Arctic, possibly for five days of the challenge.
He said: "You will be glad to know that if my military commitments allow me I would love to join the team."
Funds will go to charities and organisations providing qualifications, courses and further education for people trying to rebuild their lives.
During the four-week trek next April, the amputees will cover up to 300 miles (483km) across the frozen Arctic Ocean, taking the Siberian approach to the North Pole.
Accompanied by expert guides including Henry Cookson and Inge Solheim, the former troops will navigate their way through numerous hazards and tough terrain.
Each participant will pull weights in excess of 243lb (110kg) in sleds while enduring temperatures from minus 15C (5F) to minus 50C (minus 58F) and facing the risk of running into polar bears.
The team hopes to enter the record books by becoming the first amputees to reach the remote destination.
The Prince, who served in Afghanistan for 10 weeks in 2007/08, has been training to become a pilot with the Army Air Corps for more than a year.
He said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to become a Patron of this wonderful expedition. It truly is going to be an amazing trip.
"This project exemplifies the tenacity and courage of those who serve our country - it really is that simple.
"They are a huge example to us all.
"What a wonderful inspiration they are to take on this massive challenge."
Referring to the "debt of gratitude" Britain owed those wounded in action, he appealed for the public to get behind the project and donate money.
Joking that he hoped he would be able to "keep up" with the team if he was able to take part, Prince Harry finished by saying: "Good luck, and let's get an Army flag on the North Pole before my brother lands a helicopter there."
After watching a film of the Arctic landscape and its hazards, The Prince took off his jacket to meet a challenge to pull a sled filled with the equipment needed for the trek and earned a round of applause for his effort.