Craig Howorth, Training Area Operative, Armed Forces veteran and leg amputee, will be joining a team of injured disabled military veterans to raise money for military charity, Pilgrim Bandits with an Everest expedition.
In April, the Pilgrim Bandits team will be supporting the renowned mountain climber and double amputee veteran, Hari Budha Magar in his world-record attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
Craig will be attempting Everest Base Camp before acclimatising and going on to reach Camp 1, travelling across the dangerous Khumbu Ice Fall.
The team will be made up of disabled military veterans, who are set to prove that disability doesn’t limit anybody’s ambition to achieve the impossible, all while raising money for a charity close to their hearts.
Pilgrim Bandits is a Forces charity that supports servicemen and women who have been injured or wounded, with the sole aim to help strengthen their spirit and inspire them to live life to the full. The charity raises funds for expeditions as well as grants which provide injured military and emergency services personnel with specialist equipment and wheelchairs.
Craig is passionate about raising awareness and funds for Pilgrim Bandits after using its services first hand, he comments: “The charity has been a big part of my life after suffering a traumatic injury and having my right leg amputated. Pilgrim Bandits has really helped me through some difficult times, both physically and mentally.
“There are so many amazing ex-service personnel making up the Pilgrim Bandits Everest team, including ex-soldier and blue light veteran, John Chart, who has lost the use of both of his arms and been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Each of us have gone through our own hardships to lead us to this challenge, but we’d love to raise more awareness around the work that Pilgrim Bandits does, around motor neurone disease and around showing people that we won't be held back by whatever we’ve been through.”
Craig works for Landmarc, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)’s industry partner for managing the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Defence Training Estate, at Holcombe Moor Training Camp near Bury. As an organisation that works closely with the Armed Forces and veterans, Craig knew he could secure support from his employer, who has donated towards the expedition as well.
Show your support for Craig and the team in their mission to raise money for Pilgrim Bandits, visit and donate here.