Prince launches climb for injured personnel on Plymouth visit

THEY'VE already climbed one mountain in their lives by overcoming horrific injuries – and now they're off to the base of another.

Injured and wounded military personnel from Plymouth have announced plans for an expedition to the base of Mount Everest.

The Khumbu Challenge '09 will be an ambitious undertaking involving four teams of differing experience and mobility drawn from all ranks of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

Around 85 personnel will take up the challenge in October and November next year and it will offer them the opportunity to enhance their current rehabilitation programmes and put them back in a military environment.

Yesterday the expedition was given the royal seal of approval as Prince Harry yesterday visited Devonport Naval Base for its official launch.

Among the marines looking to take part in the expedition is Ben McBean, dubbed "Harry's hero".

The 21-year-old lost an arm and a leg earlier this year fighting in Afghanistan.

Prince Harry was on the same flight back to the UK as Ben, praising his efforts fighting for his country, and yesterday Harry watched Ben train as he tackled an indoor climbing wall.

As Ben clambered up the obstacle Harry shouted "I'll buy you a pint if you make it to the top".

Ben, who lives in Milehouse, laughed and replied "I'll hold you to that" before reaching the top to applause from those attending.

"I feel I can do it," Ben later said of the expedition.

"I wouldn't say I could unless I was sure. I've got over the main challenge and that was staying alive.

"I've also learned to walk again. This is the next step."

Ben said he is planning on running the London Marathon in preparation for the expedition.

Another Marine hoping to be part of the team is Major Jim Bonney. In 2004, he became Britain's first serving one-legged commando after fighting back from near disaster to near-perfect fitness.

Major Bonney was a Troop Commander with Bickleigh-based 42 Commando when he fell 1,000ft down Mount Hunter, in Alaska, during a training exercise in April 2001.

The married father of one survived the fall – but doctors warned the promising young officer his days as a frontline member of the famous Green Berets were over.

They presented him with a grim choice – either have his ankle and foot 'fused', which would remove all movement, or amputate below the knee. Jim – dubbed Captain Courage by his comrades – chose the amputation. Now he is aspiring to be a member of the team.

"It will be tough going but it will be a huge achievement for everyone involved," said Jim, now a Royal Marine Major. "The main challenge will be battling fatigue and getting used to altitude and conditions.

"It is a huge task but it's great to use adventure training as a rehabilitation tool."

For the expedition, a main team of 12 to 16 experienced climbers will attempt Gokyo Ri, Lobuche East and the 6,812m peak Ama Dablam.

A High Altitude Development Team, consisting of 12 to 16 less experienced climbers, will undertake an ascent of Island Peak, Pokalde and Lobuche East.

There will then be three junior teams, consisting of 20 trekkers each and including five to seven injured personnel, who will trek to Everest base camp and attempt to climb Kala Pattar.

Sir Jonathon Band, First Sea Lord and the most senior serving officer in the Royal Navy, gave his backing to the teams.

"It is a fantastic challenge," he said. "These people have suffered tough luck in their lives serving our country doing what they could in the war. This challenge is all about giving less than able people the chance. It is a fantastic experience for them."