“The Royal Marines family is truly remarkable. Dave and Alan are testament to the strength of the Corps, its values and standards and wider message of belonging,” said General Gwyn Jenkins, Commandant General Royal Marines, Vice Chief of Defence Staff and President RMA – The Royal Marines Charity who, alongside Corps Regimental Sergeant Major – Warrant Officer 1st Class, Nick Ollive RM, hosted Alan Chambers MBE and Dave Thomas at a congratulatory breakfast in London. This followed their return from the 1,150km Mission Spiritus Antarctica sled haul/ski expedition to the South Pole.
Al and Dave had reached the Pole, exhausted but elated, on Friday 19 January having been on the polar ice for 60 days battling some of the most extreme conditions on earth. There, with a combined age of a just under century and a quarter, the two former Royal Marines celebrated Dave’s new world record. At the age of 68 years and one month, he became the oldest person to ski to the South Pole from the coast at Hercules Inlet, beating the previous record by an impressive four years!
During this primarily scientific expedition, the pair raised over £11,000 (inc Gift Aid) for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity, marking an auspicious fundraising start to the 360th Birthday year of the Royal Marines.
Phot left to right: CRSM Nick Ollive RM with Alan Chambers; CGRM General Gwyn Jenkins and Dave Thomas
