TO THE END OF THE WORLD
DARREN’S AMAZING BID TO SIT-SKI TO THE SOUTH POLE
RECORD-breaking adventurer Darren Edwards is plotting yet another first – the longest sit-ski expedition in the history of polar exploration.
Paralysed from the chest down and operating at the absolute limit of what is possible with a high-level spinal cord injury, Darren is aiming to ski 333 kilometres to the South Pole in -20C temperatures, in just 20 days.
The furthest distance currently travelled by a sit-skier to reach the South Pole is
111 kilometres, making Darren’s attempt a massive undertaking.
The 32-year-old will be supported by a team of three friends – Matt Luxton. who saved Darren’s life on the day of his life-changing climbing accident; Megan Hine, survival expert, TV adventurer and Bear Grylls’ right-hand woman; and Chris Brookes, who has served in the Army Reserve and is a paramedic with the Midlands Air Ambulance.
Antarctica is a dangerous place for anyone, let alone someone with Darren’s physical limitations.
“There will be new challenges,” said Darren. ““I won’t know if my legs or feet are getting frostbite. There is no textbook to explain your body will respond. So we won’t know until we get into the ice.”
In addition to changing perceptions of disability, the purpose behind Darren’s South Pole Challenge is to raise £300,000 for the charity Wings for Life, which seeks to find a cure for spinal cord injury.
Darren was rock climbing in Snowdonia with pal Matt in 2016 when his future was altered forever. He fell 40ft when a section of rock unexpectedly shifted below his feet.
Matt dived on him to prevent him tumbling further to certain death, but the damage was already done.
What followed was an arduous five-month journey through intensive care, surgery and rehabilitation, a determination to not be beaten, and the start of a series of daring and gruelling challenges.
To date, his record-breaking adventures include becoming the first person with a spinal cord injury to kayak from Land’s End to John O’Groats in June 2021, and – less than a year later – the first to row the English Channel.
In October 2022, he was the first disabled person to complete the World Marathon Challenge – the iconic test of running seven marathons in seven days on seven different continents.
The following spring he was part of the first all-disabled team to cross Europe’s largest ice cap, the mighty Vatnajokull in Iceland.
While preparing for the seven marathons challenge, Darren revealed the motivation that drove him on.
He said: “I am excited to show that anything is possible.
“In my opinion, it is vital that we all push our own boundaries, both physically and mentally, regardless of the challenges we all face in life.”