IAN'S £100K SOUTH POLE MISSION

Huge effort to raise funds to support former servicemen

- By MEGAN BANNER ECHO Correspondent

A dad will take on a challenge fewer less than 75 people have ever completed.

Former British Army soldier Ian Hughes will fly to the South Pole in November where he will aim to raise £100,000 for charities that support former servicemen and their families.

The 56-year-old, originally from Wales but now lives in Blundellsands, joined the Army aged 16, where he served as a Royal Green Jacket for five years. He then began 'falling down the wrong path' and drinking excessively, and made the difficult decision to quit the forces aged 21.

Ian, who shares two children with wife Carolyne, knew he needed to do something to turn his life around.

He said: "I know people I was in the military with who fall to difficult times and it all stems from the affects of mental health.

"Young people can be sent to war and be on the battlefield. It can be stressful and they often end up going off the rails when they return home.