IT IS the adventure of a lifetime.

Four Hampshire scouts are to embark on a life-changing expedition to the South Pole.

The group will set off in November 2018 in a bid to become the first Scout team ever to ski unassisted from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole and back.

Matt Prince, 23, from Winchester, Oliver Robinson, 26, from Portsmouth, David Holmes-Evans, 23, from Poole and Joe Doherty, 23, from Andover, aim to complete the challenge in 80 days.

The journey will see them endure temperatures as low as -50°C and winds speeds of more than 80 miles per hour in perpetual daylight.

They will haul 100kg of food, fuel and equipment from the coast of Antarctica at Hercules Inlet to the geographic South Pole – a distance of over 700 miles.

Mr Nigel Atkinson, the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, officially launched the start of this expedition with a special ceremony at the Langrish House Hotel in Petersfield.

Matt Prince, one of the team members who is also an outdoor activity supervisor, said: “This is going to be the culmination of many years of training and hard work by the team and will hopefully inspire the next generation of Scouts, proving that you can achieve anything when you commit yourself to such a worthy cause.”

During their journey they will also raise awareness for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

Their preparation has already seen them ski across Norwegian glaciers, drag tyres over a marathon distance (more than 26 miles), and undergo a series of fitness assessments.

They have also taken part in previous Scout-led expeditions and training trips, such as the one to the deserts of Peru.

The expedition to the South Pole was inspired by the adventure of three members of Hampshire Scouts in 2007, when they reached the summit of Mount Everest.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: “In Scouting we believe all young people have the right to an adventure. Adventure is at the heart of what we do. Scouting is the adventure of a lifetime.”

The young explorers have also attracted supporters such as Peter Duncan, former Chief Scout and Blue Peter presenter, James Ketchell, serial adventurer, and Dr Mike Stroud, who made the first unsupported crossing in history with Sir Ranulph Fiennes in the nineties.