Darren Edwards is looking to break a world record by sit-skiing to the South Pole. (Wolfsong Media via SWNS)
By Adam Dutton
A British adventurer left paralyzed in a horrific climbing accident will try to break a world record by skiing to the South Pole.
Darren Edwards, 35, is aiming to sit-ski 137 miles (222km) across Antarctica next month.
The former mountaineer and army reservist hopes to smash the previous South Pole sit-ski record of 69 miles (111km).
The dad-of-one will ski for up to ten hours a day in sub-zero temperatures using two specially modified poles.
Darren was paralyzed from the chest down following a rock climbing fall in North Wales on August 6, 2016.
A section of rock crumbled under Darren's feet and he plummeted 100ft, breaking his spine.
Darren was paralyzed from the chest down following a rock climbing accident in North Wales on Aug. 6, 2016. (Wolfsong Media via SWNS)
Since suffering his horrific injury, Darren has defied the odds to complete a series of grueling physical challenges.
Darren, from Shrewsbury, Shrops., said: "I have had dark times since my accident but I've tried to take adversity and turn it into something positive.
"For me adventure became that kind of saving grace and I just kept testing myself and proving that I can achieve things with my injury."
Darren’s determination has also seen him selected for Great Britain’s Paracanoe Team.
He also pioneered adaptive freediving in the UK.
In 2021 he became the first disabled person to kayak 870 miles (1,400km) from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O’ Groats in Scotland.
Darren will be supported in his world record bid by a team of adventurers made up of explorer Lucy Shepherd, Chief Scout Dwayne Fields and award-winning film maker Matthew Biggar.
He is aiming to raise $100,000 for spinal cord injury charity Wings for Life.