Ben Fogle visits Headley Court

21st October 2009

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Writer, presenter and adventurer Ben Fogle is the latest inspirational figure to visit Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre as part of The BFF's special project.

Given the positive response from staff and patients to Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson’s visit a few months ago, the Charity wanted to find someone else to go along and talk about the challenges they have taken on in the course of their career.

Ben, whose achievements include racing 160 miles across the Sahara desert in the notorious Marathon Des Sables, rowing the Atlantic Ocean in 49 days and, most recently, crossing Antarctica in a foot race to the South Pole (the first in 97 years, since the great Norwegian-British race between Amundsen and Scott), was an obvious choice.

His tour of the ward was followed by an inspirational talk to a full audience in the sports hall. He gave an extraordinary insight into overcoming adversity, particularly given that preparation had not always been ideal for a number of adventures.

The overriding theme that came across was that, regardless of conditions, the key factor in attacking each challenge had been an attitude of temperament and mindset that held fast to “finishing” rather than just “winning” as the primary objective.

Following his visit, Ben said: ‘It was an enormously humbling experience to meet real life heroes, men and women who have put their lives at risk in the line of duty.

"Nothing I have ever done, or will ever do, will compare with the brave stoicism of these young men and women. It was un utterly compelling, enlightening and inspiring visit."