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Pilgrim Bandits taking group of injured servicemen to conquer Kilimanjaro.

The Forces charity is leading an expedition including five amputee servicemen to the top of Africa’s highest mountain .

Pilgrim Bandits have announced they are taking an expedition to Kilimanjaro in February 2012. Accompanying the expedition, which will include five forces amputees, will be Pilgrim Bandit’s patron and Dragon’s Den star, Duncan Bannatyne.

Amputee soldier Chris Parkes, who is going to climb Kilimanjaro, said:

“I want to challenge myself as best I can and am doing this expedition to prove to people that I am not an invalid, but a strong individual who can get over obstacles.”

Rifleman Parkes is from the 3rd Battalion Rifles, based in Edinburgh was sent to Afghanistan in 2009. In December he was injured by an IED (improvised explosive device) and then shot. He lost his left leg and now uses a prosthetic limb. Rifleman Parkes spent 19 months in Headley Court and is now awaiting a medical discharge from the army.

John Sandford-Hart, patron of Pilgrim Bandits said:

“The charity promotes injured servicemen pushing themselves to go that little further, we don’t do sympathy – they didn’t get it before they were injured so they don’t get it afterwards – and we will be doing this expedition as a team.”

Sandford-Hart is a former soldier from Mudeford who lost a leg in a powerboat accident and is going on the expedition. He has already completed many record-breaking fundraising challenges, including the Guinness World Record for fastest person on crutches to summit Kilimanjaro.

Duncan Bannatyne, another patron of Pilgrim Bandits said:

‘This expedition could not be for a better cause. I am an ambassador for Pilgrim Bandits and have seen at first hand the tremendous work they do with forces amputees. There will be seven serving soldiers from 7 Rifles, plus five amputees, on the trip and I will have to train hard to make sure I’m not left behind!’

Hayley Mac, Miss Commonwealth International, was inspired to join the Pilgrim Bandits expedition by Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson who lost both legs in Afghanistan.

“He asked if I wanted to climb Kilimanjaro and I like a challenge so said I would do it as it is such a good cause. We are doing it for all the soldiers who can’t do it and Pilgrim Bandits works really hard at making injured soldiers feel better about themselves.”

The Pilgrim Bandits expedition will be led by Rhys Jones. Rhys became a World Record holder in 2006 on his 20th birthday by becoming the youngest person to climb the highest mountain on each continent, known as the Seven Summits Challenge – Kilimanjaro is 5,895 metres high. Rhys now leads trips with his company RJ7 and is an experienced expedition guide.  Rhys said:

“I’m extremely excited to be leading and overseeing this unique team on Kilimanjaro, for what will be my seventh ascent of the mountain. I’m sure we can provide an unforgettable experience for all of the participants for the Pilgrim Bandits expedition which I am proud to be leading - I’ve no doubt this will be a challenging undertaking, not least of all for the amputees, but for us all. I’m confident though, that with our excellent infrastructure and local Guides, it will be a safe and ultimately successful trek.”

Expedition dates: 16-26 February 2012

Pilgrim Bandits: www.pilgrimbandits.com

To donate money to the Kilimanjaro Expedition: www.bmycharity.com/killyteam

RJ7: www.rjseven.com

More information

For further details or interview requests with any of the participants including Rifleman Parkes, Duncan Bannatyne, John Sandford-Hart or Rhys Jones, please contact:

James Donald
Camps International Ltd

T:  01425 485 390
M: 07921 780498

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W: www.campsinternational.com