The achievement of a former Royal Marine in reaching the South Pole has brought pride to a Workington family.
Paul Armstrong has joined the praise for his cousin Alan Chambers in his epic trek to the bottom of the world.
Alan, 56, and his friend of 30 years, another ex-Marine in Dave Thomas reached the pole on 19 January after 58 days of battling polar ice.
Dave turned 68 during the 733-mile ski journey and is the oldest person to reach the South Pole unassisted.
Paul, who is the technical guru on Workington Reds club website and a former Zebras prop forward, was delighted to see his cousin make it all the way.
“His mother was Ann Heathcote from Moss Bay, my mother’s younger sister.
“She married Colin Chambers from Scunthorpe, where Alan was born. Sadly Ann died in 2007 aged only 64 but his dad is still alive.
“There are a few members of the family in Workington who will be really pleased at his achievement.
“Alan was actually the motivational speaker used by England rugby union the year they won the World Cup.”
Dave, from Port Talbot, said after reaching the South Pole they had managed the feat by “doggedly sticking” to their routine.
Both explorers dragged heavy sleds filled with the supplies they needed to survive, in wind chill temperatures as low as -42C (-43F) during the two-month trek.
The duo conducted a number of scientific experiments along the way while raising more than £9,000 for the Royal Marines Charity.
Alan has helped to raise £15m for charity over his 30 years of polar exploration – which has come to end with this trip – and he thanked his “Royal Marine family” for their support.
“The brotherhood has been a huge support. It’s not been an easy feat but our commando spirit has seen us through,” he said.
The Royal Marines Charity said: “After an absolutely epic 58 days on the polar ice, battling some of the Earth’s most extreme conditions, former Royal Marines Alan Chambers MBE and Dave Thomas have successfully reached the geographic South Pole.
“We send our heartfelt congratulations to Alan and Dave for their absolutely incredible accomplishment. What an unbelievable achievement.”
The Heathcote connection started when the family moved up from Dronfield in Derbyshire in the 1880’s to work at the Steelworks.
Paul’s great grandfather was born in 1856, married in 1882 and came to live in Harrington soon after. His first child Annie was born in Harrington in 1884.
