Dukies' pennant flies from North Pole
09:55, 28 April 2011
A pennant flag from the Duke of York’s Royal Military School has been flown at the North Pole.
It was taken there by ex-pupil Simon Daglish as part of an incredible charity expedition that was supported by Prince Harry.
Four soldiers, wounded in Afghanistan, walked unassisted on a 180-mile trek across the frozen polar ice cap in minus 38C temperatures over a record-breaking 13 days.
It was all in aid of the Walking With the Wounded charity, founded by Simon, to raise funds to help rehabilitate soldiers wounded in action.
The charity’s patron Prince Harry, who joined the team for the first four days of the trek, praised the team at a press conference in London.
"I only took part in a small section of the trek, but know how physically demanding it was," he said. "The spirit and determination of these lads is second to none – they are role models for us all."
Simon, who is a former chief school prefect, thanked the Duke of York’s former students association and the many people across Kent who helped the charity raise £1 million.
"People have kindly supported us with generous donations and inspiring messages that kept us motivated while trekking through the snow and ice," he said.
"I wanted to take the pennant flag with me because I am proud of my old school and grateful for what it gave me. I had fantastic teachers who encouraged me, built my confidence and made me believe that I could stand out from the crowd and achieve my dreams."
Full story in next week's Dover Mercury.
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