Prince Harry at the South Pole Allied Challenge departure event

Prince Harry at the South Pole Allied Challenge departure event

Britain's Prince Harry has jetted off to take part in a 200-mile race across Antarctica.

The 28-year-old royal joined 12 wounded servicemen and women at London's Heathrow airport as they left the UK on Sunday evening (17.11.13) to participate in The Virgin Money South Pole Allied Challenge 2013, of which Harry is patron.

Three teams are involved in the Walking With the Wounded charity trek, which will see them battle extreme weather conditions as they race across the South Pole.

Speaking before the group boarded a flight to Novo Base in Antarctica, Ibrar Ali - whose right arm was amputated after a roadside bomb explosion in Afghanistan in 2007 - told Sky News it felt, "a bit like pre-tour when you're just about sat at Brize Norton when you're just about to go out to Iraq or Afghanistan."

He added: "As we've said throughout, [Harry's] a great team member and just fits in really well so no different to anyone else."

The team members - who have all overcome life-changing injuries and hail from the UK, the US, Canada and Australia - will have to walk for around 15km to 20km per day in temperatures as low as minus 45C while pulling 70kg sleds.

The Challenge is kicks off on November 29 and they hope to reach the South Pole by December 16.

The UK Team Glenfiddich has been joined by Harry, the Commonwealth's Team Soldier On includes actor Dominic West, and 'True Blood' star Alexander Skarsgard joins US Team Noom Coach.


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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