Disabled Adventurer Starts South Pole Challenge
An adventurer has begun an attempt to reach the South Pole and break a record for the longest-ever sit-ski expedition by a disabled person.
Darren Edwards, from Shrewsbury, who is paralysed from the chest down, hopes to cover 137 miles (222km) over a period of 20 days
He is raising funds for charity Wings for Life, which is researching cures for spinal cord injuries.
In an update from base camp before he set off, Mr Edwards said his sit-ski had been adapted to become more “Antarctic proof” with rebuilt foot plates and a sheepskin padding.
The current record for the longest sit-ski to the South Pole stands at almost 69 miles (111km).
Joining him on the South Pole expedition are explorer Lucy Shepherd, Chief Scout Dwayne Fields and filmmaker Matthew Biggar.
The team will camp overnight, navigating temperatures as low as -30C and the risk of extreme winds, altitude sickness and snowstorms.
Former mountaineer and army reservist Mr Edwards was paralysed in 2016 at the age of 26 after a rock climbing accident.
Since then, he has been part of the first disabled team to cross Europe’s largest ice cap, Vatnajokull in Iceland, and undertaken seven marathons in seven days on seven continents.
He has also led a rowing crew across the English Channel and kayaked from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
Same Difference 