Prince Harry and a group of wounded servicemen – including a Dingwall-born hero – will today arrive at the South Pole at the end of a journey across the Antarctic.
The 29-year-old prince says arriving on Friday, December 13, is “unlucky for some but not for us”.
Among those with Harry will be former RAF gunner Sergeant Duncan Slater, 34, from Muir of Ord in Easter Ross who lost both his legs in a blast in Afghanistan in 2009.
The former Dingwall Academy pupil is hoping to become the first double amputee to ski to the South Pole. And Prince Harry says the Scot is finding it too easy.
The teams are now less than seven miles from the finish.
Prince Harry said yesterday: “I think everyone is feeling a bit tired but slowly getting into the rhythm. Only just got into the rhythm now and it has almost finished.”
All being well, Harry and his 11 comrades should arrive at the South Pole between noon and 3pm.
Expedition director Ed Parker said: “Everyone is beginning to get quite excited, we can see the end.
“Everyone is thinking a lot about the journey that’s behind us and it is not just the last three weeks in Antarctica but the year it has taken us to get here.
“A lot of people have overcome many injuries and issues to be here. It feels very special that this group of people is finally on the cusp of achieving our aim. The money we are raising is going to help young men and women who have been injured get into work and jobs. That is why we are doing this, to try and highlight that they do need our support. So please keep helping us, keep supporting us.”
Sgt Slater was told by doctors that he would never walk again after being injured by a roadside bomb at Babaji in Helmand Province where he served with the RAF Regiment.