Warm welcome for record-setting amputee veteran following world's toughest trek
Just over a month ago two Armed Forces veterans with below-knee amputations set off to Bhutan to take on the world's toughest trek.
After 28 challenging days and one of the team, unfortunately, having to pull out, former British Army captain Rich Potter completed the trek and arrived back in England to the warm embrace of his family.
The veteran battled through the hardest thing he's ever done to achieve a world first, completing Bhutan's Full Snowman Trek – conquering 310km of some of the most challenging terrain on the planet.
"It genuinely hasn't sunk in yet", Rich told BFBS Forces News.
He added: "I became so close with the crew and with my guide after Dickie left, and we became really tight-knit, it was so refreshing but so difficult to say goodbye to them.
"My biggest 'why' in my entire life is Ellie, my wife, and my son, and I kept thinking every morning this is why I'm doing it and why I'm getting up.
"It hasn't sunk in yet. I need to take the weekend to watch the rugby and the football and eat some food. I've lost 10kg."
The ex-Army officer and his teammate, former RAF corporal Rich 'Dickie' Davies, had previously become the first amputees to hike to Bhutan's Tiger's Nest Monastery and the first to complete the Half Snowman Trek.
Their strong bond formed following their shared journey on the Invictus Games – the international multi-sport event launched in 2014 by the Duke of Sussex.
They took on this challenge to reset the limits of what's possible for amputees.
Dickie was quick to congratulate his friend and let him know how proud he was. "I know how difficult that terrain is, even for an able-bodied person it's a challenge," he said.
He noted that only 17 people have attempted the challenge this year, with not many completing and Rich Potter becoming the very first amputee to conquer the trek.
"Hopefully, we have motivated other amputees to take on their own challenges," Dickie said.
Rich said: "Everyone focuses on the destination, and the fact that I completed the Full Snowman Trek, it's not just about that, it's about the journey.
"And there is no one on this planet I would have rather gone through that with than you (Dickie)."
For now, Rich said his focus is on sleeping, eating and spending some quality time with the family.
However, the pair who go by the motto, 'The Limitless Expedition... stepping through adversity', hinted at the possibility of expanding their Limbitless Expedition team to a Limbitless Foundation, where they would want to continue to motivate more people in the world.
The veterans set out wanting to dispel the myths and change the narrative on society's view of disabled people's abilities.
In addition to their remarkable accomplishments, the expedition set out to raise funds for Blesma, the military limbless charity, and the Royal British Legion, two organisations that they said had had a profound impact on their lives.
The team throughout their journey have encouraged supporters to donate or share their story, emphasising the importance of raising awareness about the capabilities of disabled veterans.
Donations can be made via their JustGiving page.
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