A trio of MPs and a group of soldiers recently treated for post-combat trauma will join together to attempt to climb one of the world’s highest active volcanoes.
The expedition to climb the 5,897 metre (19,347 feet) Cotopaxi in Ecuador aims to raise £10,000 for the Royal British Legion’s Battleback Centre, which helps wounded, injured and sick armed forces personnel to help overcome physical and psychological challenges.
Prime Minister David Cameron backed the expedition in the House of Commons today, praising the role of the Royal British Legion and wishing the trip well.
Greg Mulholland, Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West and the BMC’s link to Westminster through the Parliamentary Sports Fellowship scheme, will take part in the expedition along with two other MPs, Labour’s John Mann and the Conservatives’ Tracey Crouch.
Greg Mulholland and John Mann are members of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Mountaineering, for which the BMC is the secretariat.
Extraordinary
Replying to a question by Greg Mulholland during Prime Minister’s Questions, David Cameron described the Battle Back Centre as “an extraordinary facility in our country” and also said “the Royal British Legion plays an absolutely key part in our country in standing up for veterans and their interests, and ensuring that we raise money and serve them properly.”
The expedition will last from May 26 to June 10 and will take in the summits of Iliniza Norte, Cayambe and Cotopaxi. The 12-strong team will have to cope with high altitude, temperatures of -10C, days of acclimatisation and a grueling final push for the summit of Cotopaxi starting at 1am.
Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, said: "It is a huge privilege to be part of the Battle Back team taking on this expedition to climb Cotopaxi, one of the highest volcanoes on the world.
"The Battle Back Centre does amazing work using adaptive sport and adventurous training to rehabilitate our brave servicemen and women who have been injured. This historic expedition, the first with a team from the Battle Back Centre, will be a big challenge physically and mentally and will allow us to highlight the work of the centre and greater awareness of the challenges brave servicemen and women face dealing with the physical and mental scars of conflict.”
Life-changing
The expedition is being organised by Leeds Metropolitan University Carnegie Great Outdoors. Expedition leader will be ex-army Dave Bunting, head coach at The Battle Back Centre and leader of the 2006 British Army Everest West Ridge Expedition.
He said: “Our courses at The Battle Back Centre are all about helping to boost self-confidence and improve motivation through adaptive sports for wounded, injured and sick soldiers, many who have been through traumatic or life-changing experiences.
“The Ecuador Expedition will see a group of serving soldiers and veterans who have spent time at the Centre take part in this unique, once in a lifetime experience which we will hope will further enhance their recovery and future development.
“It is a physically and psychologically demanding challenge that will push the whole team to its limits.”
Donate to the expedition via its JustGiving page.
« Back