A Merseyside-born army veteran is aiming to be the oldest person to complete The Explorer’s Grand Slam.
Ian Hughes, who joined the Royal Green Jackets when he was just 16, is raising money for mental health charity, Always a Rifleman.
The organisation aims to support the mental health of veterans and the 57-year-old is hoping to make a difference.
He said: “Always a Rifleman is a charity that needs support and the message put across, whether that’s PTSD, homelessness, or the struggle of transitioning to civilian life.
“Supporting this cause allows me to give back to the regiment I served in and to help veterans at their lowest point.”
The Explorer’s Grand Slam challenge involves reaching the North and South pole, climbing seven of the world’s highest peaks and skiing a total of 730 miles solo without support.
Ian has so far completed five of the seven summits including mount Everest.
The challenge will see Ian pulling a sledge as heavy as a giant panda and he’s had to get inventive during his training. He often drags tyres along the Leeds and Liverpool canal on his way to work.
Ian explained how he has always been drawn to testing himself in extreme environments from his time in the British Army, to working as a deep-sea diver all over the world, to now climbing the highest mountains in the world.
he said: “The biggest lesson is patience and humility. Mountains don’t care about your ego or your plans. You have to respect the environment, move at the right pace, and accept setbacks as part of the journey.”
As he carries his go to snacks with him on his journey – M&S blonde chocolates and marmite nuts – he also carries with him the importance of the challenge,
“I think about why I’m there, when things get tough, I remind myself of that and take one step at a time,” he said.
He hopes to raise £100,000 and has so far raised £13,566, all going to the organisation as he personally funds each of his trips. Donations can be made here.
Written by, Megan Rogers-Jones, Freya Leather and James Corrigan
