Soldier to take part in “the world’s last great adventure”

A FORMER Lymm schoolboy is to take part in a gruelling 500 mile race which has been dubbed “the world’s last great adventure.”
Ben Hill, who was brought up in Lymm and attended Lymm High School, will take part in the Patagonian Expedition Race this month as a member of The Green Sentinels, a UK-based international adventure team largely made up of serving or former British Army soldiers.
He now lives near Exmoor, where he regularly mountain bikes, climbs, and runs – but he is still a serving soldier, currently posted to a Commando Logistic Regiment.
Twenty four-person teams will take part in the race and raise money and support for good causes.
Ben has always been a keen sportsman. He represented Lymm High School in rowing and cross county and competed for Manchester in water polo.
He joined the Army at 18 and was posted to Germany with 64 Fuel Sqn Royal Logistics Corps where he continued to compete in cross country and Alpine skiing.
His love of a challenge led him to complete his Physical Training Instructor and the All Arms Commando course prior to trialling for a joint service Antarctica “Spirit of Scott” Expedition.
Ben has served in the Falklands and has undertaken several international exercises and expeditions, including Kenya, Spain, and Germany, where he continued his interest in high altitude trekking, climbing and Nordic Skiing.
Ben said: We’re doing the event to support numerous charities one of which is close to our heart called ShelterBox which highlights the plight of injured service personnel. Whether physical injury or PTSD. The charity’s aim is to aid
the recovery of both civilians and veterans through outdoor activities and adventure training. Along side of this we’re supporting Help for Hero’s and the Royal Marsden cancer charity.”
Each four-person team will cross over 500 miles in just 10 days through the untouched wilderness of Patagonia.
Teams will mountaineer, mountain bike, and sea kayak their way across various terrains, and through harsh conditions, stopping only to re-set their compass.
The team is being supported by famous explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes who said: “The Green Sentinels is a brave and courageous cause that will positively change the lives of suffering ex-servicemen and their loved
ones in a truly inspiring way”