AN INSPIRATIONAL man from Tidworth is taking on an extraordinary challenge to raise funds for a charity that support the recovery of wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans.
Corporal Daniel Eden, 27, badly injured his arm after he was involved in a car accident in December 2021.
He was on the way back to the army base in Tidworth after spending some time at his parents' house when he had to swerve out the way of an animal on the road.
Following the incident his arm was badly injured and in December last year he made the decision to have it amputated.
The 27-year-old told the Journal: "After losing my arm I just thought it would be a pretty amazing thing to do to raise money for charity.
"I think people see other people like myself and think 'he is a young lad? how is he going to deal with it?'"
Daniel said he likes to do things 'he thinks he can't do first' in order to prove others wrong, and has wanted to stay active since the incident.
He will now be taking on a challenge to raise funds for the Armed Forces Para Snowsports Team (AFPST), embarking on a courageous journey to Everest Base Camp.
The AFPST is an independent charity, registered in the UK, that uses the restorative and transforming power of para-snowsports to accelerate and support the recovery and welfare of wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans.
Since his amputation Daniel has competed in Nordic skiing skate competition for the first time and won a gold medal in the male category.
With each arduous event Daniel tackles, he said he aims to inspire others by pushing the boundaries of what is perceived as possible.
By taking on the monumental task of conquering Everest Base Camp, he seeks to motivate individuals to tap into their inner strength and realise their true potential.
He will take on the challenge along with 19 other wounded, injured and sick veteran athletes and serving personnel.
Daniel has just returned from AFPST’s Winter Endeavour in Colorado which saw 14 international athletes join the AFPST cohort for an Invictus Games Foundation camp in advance of the first Invictus Winter Games being held in Vancouver-Whistler, Canada in 2025.
The hallmark Winter Games event will mark a decade of successful Invictus Games whereby more than 500 wounded, injured and sick (WIS) veterans and service personnel will experience the power of competitive sports and proudly represent their nation on an international level against 25 nations in total.
The path to Everest Base Camp is no easy feat, Daniel faces a myriad of challenges along the way - the altitude, for instance, poses a significant obstacle.
The thin air at such high altitudes can put immense strain on the body and even pose serious risks to experienced climbers. However, Daniel is determined to overcome this challenge and prove that the human spirit can conquer even the most demanding of environments.
In addition to altitude, the weather conditions at Everest Base Camp are notoriously harsh. Unpredictable snowstorms, bone-chilling temperatures, and fierce winds test the limits of mental fortitude and physical robustness., but Daniel's unwavering determination and unyielding spirit drive him forward, undeterred by the elements.
Dan said he hopes to be able to stay as a member of the British Army but will find out later this month.
Daniel will start the trek on Wednesday, May 1 to support him visit justgiving.com/page/daniel-eden-1711471686200?utm_source=IG.
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