John Sandford-Hart and Corporal Ricky Hatten at Kilimanjaro's Peak
On February 23rd, twenty seven men volunteered to climb Mount Kilimanjaro- the highest peak in Africa. And these were no ordinary men- four of them were ex-military and single leg amputees from Pilgrim Bandits.
The volunteers, including Lance Corp. Johno Lee, Corporal Ricky Hatton, Rifleman Chris Parks and former REME John Sandford Hart, not only sponsored their own trip, but raised additional funds for the charity as well. The Pilgrim Bandits Kilimanjaro challenge may have raised up to $15,830, with another similar event planned for later this year.
A charity of the New Forest, Pilgrim Bandits is an organization that aims to finance a number of challenges for amputee service men and women. The challenges encourage the amputees to push both their physical and mental abilities while raising money for additional ex-forces amputees to do the same. The events also promote awareness of the daily struggle amputees must cope with despite their impressive training and remarkable self-discipline.
Rhys Jones, an organizer who followed the expedition, said “Killi is the highest walkable mountain in the world, but it is a tough climb, a real challenge for anyone let alone someone with a prosthetic leg. It’s been a tough week for all involved and a real inspiration.”