Team Army/Team Ethos is proud to announce another incredibly worthy recipient of a COVID Bounceback grant … PolarPreet!
Captain Preet Chandi, an Army physiotherapist is planning an extraordinary expedition to trek unassisted to the South Pole this winter. As a British born Indian Sikh, she will be the first Asian woman to undertake a solo expedition in Antarctica. Only a few female adventurers have previously completed unsupported treks in this environment and Preet is therefore aiming to make history as well as to inspire future generations. The journey will take approximately 45 days to complete. Preet will have to dig deep to endure dragging her pulk for 700 miles in hostile and dangerous terrain whilst battling wind speeds of up to 60mph and temperatures of -50C.
If Preet is successful in reaching the South Pole, she plans to return to Antarctica and attempt an unassisted crossing of the entire continent. This would catapult her into the history books as one of the greatest living explorers.
Capt Preet Chandi stated, “My aim for this expedition is to inspire others to achieve anything they want and to redefine what’s possible. The power of seeing someone that looks like you can change or shape how you view yourself. I want to show and tell you that the world is your oyster. There is so much you can do, let’s break down those barriers!”
Maj Gen Lamont Kirkland, CEO Team Army said, “Preet has a unique and compelling backstory and is one of the most determined, tenacious and motivated women I have encountered. The world needs more adventurous women who see challenges not barriers and have the courage to pursue an idea. Team Army has a history of supporting Polar explorers so we are extremely proud to be supporting Preet on her historic and ambitious journey to the end of the earth.”
Simon Pryce, Chief Executive Ultra Electronic Holdings plc commented, ‘Ultra is committed to acting as a positive force in the communities in which we operate. We are very proud to be supporting Preet and her incredibly brave expedition in Antarctica. She brilliantly symbolises our EMPOWERING, PERFORMING and AGILE company values and we hope that her mission goes on to inspire many more future generations of men and women.’
To prepare for the challenge Preet has completed expeditions in Norway and Greenland and is currently training under the management of Capt Lou Rudd, whom Team Army/Team Ethos supported on his solo crossing of Antarctica in 2018.
ABOUT PREET
Currently based at a Medical Regiment in the North West of England Preet’s primary role is as a physiotherapist but in addition, she’s the medical lead for the Army Rugby 7s team and occasionally works with the Army Engagement team. Preet is studying part-time for her MSc in Sports and Exercise Medicine at Queen Mary’s University and has recently returned from a six-month UN peacekeeping tour in South Sudan.
Although Preet has a day job, her first love is adventure, and pushing mental and physical boundaries. As well as playing tennis competitively for the Army she is training to become a Nordic ski instructor. She has hiked and climbed in Kenya, Morocco, Mexico, Nepal, Bolivia, Peru, Iceland and the Alps and last year she completed the gruelling Marathon des Sables – a six-day, 251km ultra-marathon in the Saharan desert.
Find out more about this gruelling expedition at polarpreet.com