The trio of Ed Jackson, Darren Edwards and Dr Niall McCann are attempting to set a World Record by becoming the first, fully disabled team to ski across Iceland’s Vatnajokull Glacier – the largest ice cap in Western Europe. They will set off on 14 April 2023.
Former professional rugby player Ed Jackson, aged 34, former mountaineer and Army Reservist Darren Edwards, aged 32, and biologist specialising in endangered species Dr Niall McCann, aged 41, all had accidents which left them with a spinal cord injury and a set of disabilities unique to them.
Ed and Niall, who have walking difficulties and sensation loss in their lower limbs, will be travelling by ski and Darren will be completing the challenge on a sit ski, propelling himself along using poles. The trio will be linked together by a single rope and will be tacking the challenge without any guidance or support.
The 150km journey will take two weeks. They expect to be battling storms, negotiating deep crevasses and dealing with temperatures of -20 degrees. As well as attempting a World Record, they are also raising funds for ‘Millimetres 2 Mountains’, a UK-based charity dedicated to creating positive change for people facing mental health challenges due to encountering adversity in their lives. They are aiming to raise £155,000 – £1,000 for every kilometre skied across the ice cap.
For more information and to donate, visit: justgiving.com/campaign/back2back
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