Wounded soldiers joined by Duncan Bannatyne in life-risking attempt on Kilimanjaro

The team of the Pilgrim Bandits was joined by North- East entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne for the six-day climb up Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Among the climbers was Rifleman Chris Park, 23, from Murton, near Peterlee, in County Durham, who got within 400m of the summit before being forced to turn back with altitude sickness, which caused his brain to swell.

Mr Bannatyne, whose business is based in Darlington, became patron of the Pilgrim Bandits last year.

He described the climb as “the most foolhardy, difficult, but fantastic” experience of his life, and said he was inspired by the men who completed the climb despite having to use crutches.

The Pilgrim Bandits formed in response to the number of soldiers losing limbs during active service and motivates them to take on challenges.

Rfn Park, of 3 Rifles, who lost his lower left leg after stepping on a concealed bomb while on patrol in Afghanistan in 2009, has been working with the Pilgrim Bandits for more than a year and was thrilled at the chance to take part in the climb.

He said: “I wanted to prove that I could do it and prove that we were all capable of doing it.

“I got 400m from the top before the doctor told me to turn around and climb down to a safer altitude. I could have thrown a stone from where I was standing to the highest point in Africa.

“I had acute altitude sickness – blood was coming out of my ears and nose. I was disappointed to have to turn back and miss the top, but there’s always next time.”

The dangers of altitude sickness were brought home to Rfn Park and his colleagues when three people from other climbing groups died during the challenge.

He said: “It opened our eyes to the reality and that we could die. But the Pilgrim Bandits are about being proactive and doing things with your life and not letting your disability hold you back.”