A DORCHESTER adventurer is aiming to become part of the first disabled team in history to complete the notorious Grand Slam challenge.

Jake Gardner, an injured Afghanistan war veteran, is a member of the Adaptive Grand Slam team (AGS).

The team is attempting to make it into the Guinness World Record books by summiting the highest peaks on each of the seven continents and walk unsupported to the geographic North and South Poles.

If they are successful in their challenge the AGS team will break four World Records in becoming the first disabled team to walk unsupported to the geographic North Pole; the first disabled team to walk unsupported to the geographic South Pole; the first disabled team to climb the seven summits and the first disabled team to complete the Grand Slam.

Jake, 27, will join the team in its latest expedition in January 2017 as it takes on Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America.

This will be team’s second attempt to summit the mountain, after being forced to abandon their initial climb due to severe weather conditions in December 2015.

January’s expedition, which is being supported by wealth management company Quilter Cheviot, part of Old Mutual Wealth, will see the group reach the half way point in its ultimate Grand Slam goal of becoming the first disabled team in history to complete the challenge.

The AGS world record attempt will raise money for The Adaptive Grand Slam Foundation. The newly-formed charitable organisation will support a range of charities that provide positive and impactful support to members of the disabled community.

The team, which is comprised of disabled adventurers, professional mountaineers and expedition leaders, has already completed four missions, including the North Pole, Mount McKinley, Mount Elbrus and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Jake was injured in 2013 after his vehicle hit a ditch while on patrol near Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, and sustained nerve damage to both his left arm and back.

Explaining why he joined the AGS challenge, Jake said: “I wanted to get involved with the Adaptive Grand Slam because it’s a great opportunity to achieve something pretty punchy with a great bunch of like-minded people. It also demonstrates that life doesn’t end when you get injured or medically discharged from the military- that you can still excel, regain confidence, achieve big goals and adapt with limitations caused by injuries and push yourself.

“January’s mission to summit Mount Aconcagua will take the team one step closer to achieving our ultimate goal and it is fantastic that our effort is being supported by Quilter Cheviot, whose backing is absolutely essential in ensuring that we can pursue our dream.”

David Loudon, chief executive at Quilter Cheviot, said: “The Adaptive Grand Slam is a remarkable charity. We wanted to be a part of its bid to make history and to help spread the message that having a disability does not prevent you from achieving incredible things.”

“We have supported a range of sports endurance events, including the Etape Royale cycle sportive and the Ride of the Lions peloton challenge in aid of Walking With The Wounded and the Lions Charitable Trust. The Adaptive Grand Slam takes that theme forward and we are hugely proud to be associated with it. When you consider the good you can do in communities, the return on investment in these kinds of sponsorships is always excellent, and, of course, this is hugely important to us.

“We understand just how gruelling these types of challenges can be and how much commitment they require and, again, this is why we wanted to give our backing. We wish the team the very best of luck as it prepares to summit Mount Aconcagua.”