People News

Prince Harry supports Everest expedition

Feb 11, 2012, 11:02 GMT

Prince Harry

Britain's Prince Harry is to support a group of injured servicemen as they attempt to climb Mount Everest.

The 27-year-old royal - who has not yet revealed whether he will be able to join the trekkers on their mission - is backing the expedition in his capacity as patron of the Walking with the Wounded charity.

Speaking at the launch of the mission, Harry said: 'Walking With The Wounded has become a household name. It has changed from being a one-off expedition into a fully-fledged charity.

'It now blazes the trail in showing wounded servicemen and women that hope remains.'

While it thought Harry's military commitments could prevent the prince from joining the servicemen on the Everest expedition, he is determined to support them all the way.

He added: 'It's not just about the men that you see before you. It's about the future of so many more.

'The expedition to the Himalayas, of which I am so proud to be patron, is raising money to train and educate those with physical and cognitive injuries suffered in war to manage their transition into civilian employment.

'The concept is quite simple - a job equals security. They have given their all for our security, security is the very lease as a nation that we owe them.'

In 2011, Prince Harry joined the Walking with the Wounded expedition team as they became the first team of unsupported amputees to reach the Geographic North Pole.