INJURED war heroes are taking on Mount Everest next month as part of an inspiring world-first adventure challenge.

If successful on the world’s highest peak, former Parachute Regiment soldiers Martin Hewitt and Terry Byrne will be close to becoming the first disabled adventurers to complete the Explorers Grand Slam, a global challenge to trek to the North and South Poles and reach the highest peaks on each of the seven continents.

Both men suffered life-changing injuries during tours of Afghanistan, but have since become world class athletes and explorers.

Martin, 38, from Wilmslow, lost the use of this right arm when he was shot in the chest, and Terry, from Essex, lost his right leg below the knee when he was blown up by an IED.

The duo will tackle Everest as part of the Adaptive Grand Slam (AGS) initiative, which was created by entrepreneur Martin to allow people with life-changing injuries and disabilities to take on some of the world’s toughest extreme challenges.

To date, over 25 AGS team members have undertaken expeditions.

Only 66 people have completed all nine stages of the Explorers Grand Slam. If successful on Everest, Martin will have only two more mountains left to climb and the South Pole to reach to become the first disabled person to complete the full challenge.

Terry is two stages behind and needs to reach the North Pole and summit Mount McKinley to catch up with his colleague.

Martin was shot in the chest while on patrol in Afghanistan in 2007. After rehab he joined the Armed Forces Para Snowsport Team and represented the UK as part of the GB Paralympic ski team.

As part of the Walking with the Wounded team he reached the North Pole in 2011 and in 2012 attempted Everest but was forced to abandon the summit attempt due to avalanche risk.

Terry lost his right leg and a little finger in Afghanistan in 2008. He turned to cycling and was selected for Great Britain’s Paralympic cycling team just four months after his amputation. In 2011 he won the World Championships.

Both men became fathers six months ago. They began training for the Everest attempt last summer and earlier this year climbed over 8,000 metres over four days during a training camp in the Alps.

They set off to Nepal to start the trek to Everest Base Camp in April and will face significant difficulties during their summit attempt.

Martin said: “Footwork is key for me, as is balance. I have a dead weight on my right side, pulling me down, so I am naturally off balance on ladder crossings.

“Having attempted Everest before helps, but it’s a doubled-edged sword. I know what to expect, but at the same what I am expecting isn’t going to be pleasant.”

Father-of-two and contracts manager, Terry, 34, walks using a prosthetic limb. He said: “I’m fit and confident, but even then, we still need a bit of luck with the weather.

“Being a father means that psychologically its very much about coming back safely. If we are successful it will be an amazing experience.”

The AGS is supported by the AGS Foundation, which is a charitable grant-making body that raises money to fund the expeditions.

Paying clients also go on training trips with the team, ensuing that the initiative is sustainable. The team also relies on sponsorship. Olympian Homes is the lead sponsor for the Everest expedition.

Martin added: “The AGS is a way for people who have life-changing injuries or who have disabilities to engage in a genuine challenge which is going to push them and give them a focus.

“In time the aim is to employ disabled people too or help them back into work, as giving people a challenge gets them to think independently and develops their physical and mental health.”