Our Story
In 2014 a team came together to support and help Peter Bowker achieve his dream of becoming the ‘World’s First Amputee to Cross the Greenland Ice Cap Unsupported’
'A Dream Was Realised’ at 01.36hrs on June 4th 2015
Peter’s story was all the inspiration and motivation the team needed.
How it all began
In 2013 Richard Morgan MBE, a former Royal Marines Commando led the HeroesChallengeUK (HCUK), a UK endurance record that set a British first.
Wanting to give something back to the wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, the HCUK team cycled from John O’Groats to Lands End, climbing the highest peaks in Wales, England and Scotland along the way.
The team of adventurers then rowed across the Irish Sea in a Celtic long boat to climb the highest peak in Northern Ireland, Slieve Donard.
They ended the 10 day endurance record on a spectacular high by skydiving into Swansea airport.
Peter Bowker, a former lance corporal in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards was a member of the HCUK team.
Rich learned about his dream to ski across Greenland and, having witnessed Peter’s resilience and determination, Rich agreed to help him achieve this ambition…
The Ice Team
Rich introduced Peter to Mick Peat, a former Royal Marine and Military Ski Instructor.
Peter had no skiing experience, so a meeting was arranged with Mick to assess his skiing ability, which was fundamental to the success of the World Record Attempt!
Impressed by Peter’s courage and determination Mick agreed to join the team. Within a few months the Ice Team and Support Team were complete, training packages booked and a date set for this epic challenge!
Training for the World Record Attempt
Norway Survival Training Package 2014
Pulling tyres in preparation for the challenge
Norway – 2nd Training Package 2015
Amanda Mealing joined the team for pre-expedition training on Aberavon Beach (video courtesy of Tim from Forces TV)
V02 Max Testing at Swansea University with Dr Melitta McNarry and Dr Kelly Mackintosh (Swansea University Sports Science)
Incredible Support
Receiving the support of the Endeavour Fund was a very proud moment for the team.
This project would not have been possible without the continued support, commitment and dedication of all our Sponsors, Supporters and Patrons.
The passion and appetite of the team has continued to grow and our aim is to inspire and motivate others through the ‘Spirit of Adventure’
Our Vision…
‘Rehabilitation Through Adventure’ offers wounded, injured and sick (WIS) service personnel and veterans the opportunity to participate in challenging, unique and arduous expeditions which has significant benefits. Their achievements and experiences will change their lives for the better, aid and enhance their recovery and, equally importantly, will enable them to inspire others. Through their own adventurous experience they will acquire the confidence, desire and motivation to make a real difference to those who have been damaged in combat. Following their experiences with 65DN, they will endeavour to inspire others to challenge themselves, test their limits and follow their dreams, which is the legacy of 65 Degrees North.
Our Mission…
Our Mission is to create a series of challenging, adventurous activities for carefully selected members of the WIS community, to prove to them that they are capable of much more than they realise, and to inspire them to pass on the benefits of their experiences to others, in the hope that they too will aspire to achieve what had seemed to them to be unachievable.
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