In 2006, Ben Parkinson became one of the most seriously injured soldiers to have fought in the war in Afghanistan. At the time of his injury, doctors thought there was little chance that he would survive.

Fifteen years later, not only has he survived, he has marked this feat by climbing one of the highest mountains in Wales. He took on the Pen y Fan challenge alongside a former firefighter, John Chart, who has lost the use of his arms, and Police Officer Laurence East, who suffers from cancer. The trio was helped by a group of former emergency and military personnel, who themselves have several mental and physical injuries from their time in active duty.

Parkinson lost the use of his legs when he was fighting against the Taliban in 2006. His brain was also damaged, leaving many believing that he wouldn’t survive, let alone speak or walk again. However, a soldier knows how to push through and do what seems to be impossible for most.

The current expedition was put together by the Curtis Palmer Program, under the umbrella of the Pilgrim Bandits, a military charity that has hosted several similar endeavours to which Ben has been a frequent contributor. For instance, in the past, Ben has taken on the Hardanger Plateau in Norway and became the first double amputee to cross it. He’s also trekked across harsh terrain in minus 20-degree weather in Sweden and taken on a 1,000-mile bike ride with 10 other amputee veterans.

Talking about his motivation and journey, he said: “It’s been 15 years, when people didn’t think I would even survive 15 days. I’ll never stop doing things that people say are impossible, and now I’ve got Ish [Inspector Isherwood] and the Curtis Palmer Program supporting me, I’ll get to the top.”

Curtis Palmer Program National Lead, Inspector Isherwood commented: “Ben climbed Pen y Fan prior to his injuries but hadn’t since and we knew this challenge meant a lot to him – as it did to all those taking part. Emergency service personnel who are part of the Curtis Palmer Program, many of whom themselves are struggling with physical and mental health illnesses, worked together to reach the summit. It was all about teamwork. All those taking part had their own mountain to climb as well as the actual mountain – and we believe that a big part of their healing process is in helping others. It was a privilege to lead this group of inspirational individuals to the very top. We are all beyond proud of them.”

CEO of Pilgrim Bandits, Matt Hellyer, who has previously scaled Pen y Fan himself commented: “The charity’s motto is ‘Always A Little Further,’ because we know that pushing injured veterans and emergency service personnel physically and mentally – when they have already endured so much – sees them rise above and beyond. We don’t do sympathy, but we offer camaraderie, an adventure and we believe in the power of humour over pain. It is that mentality that helps the veterans and emergency service personnel we work with to keep pushing forward, not only in the challenges we set them, but in their day to day lives.”

Ben Parkinson is truly made of steel. Not many of us would be able to take on the heroic tasks which he makes look easy.