Supported by Recognition Express, two explorers have returned from their two month Antarctic quest and raised over £20,000 for Heritage Trust. Wearing the embroidered badges and stickers donated by Sally Findlay owner of Recognition Express Mid-Surrey, Gavin Booth and Adam Wilton raised over £20,000 for the United Kingdom Heritage Trust and their campaign to save Scott's Hut.

During their independent, two man expedition they hauled their 120 kg sleds, across over 1,200 km of the world's harshest terrain, from the edge of the continent to the South Pole. A journey widely regarded as being harder than Everest with a minus 50 degrees wind chill.

Gavin said: 'It was a fantastic experience and incredible to know that we are the 12th and 13th British people to have made it to the South Pole unsupported! It was harder than expected, even though we'd been training for five years, and there were times when we missed the comforts of home. However, the feeling of achievement on the last day was amazing.'

Adam added: 'We are grateful for the support of Recognition Express, their badges stood out well on our jackets. Thanks also to our other sponsors and to everyone who has made a donation and supported us.'

Sally said: 'I have the greatest respect for Gavin and Adam, for taking on this challenge and I would like to congratulate them for all their hard work. My team and I are delighted to have been involved and support this expedition.'

The duo took only 45 days to reach the South Pole, the fastest time ever by an unsupported British team. The expedition started at Hercules Inlet, where the Antarctic continent meets the sea ice, on 11th November and arrived at the South Pole in the early hours of 27th December 2008.

Published: 28 January 2009

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