Its Departure Day!

So 31st March has suddenly come around, gear packed, last hang over for some time fogging my brain I am off to Norway and then hopefully the north pole . We already have logistical problems, the temprory base that the russians build for research during april we fly too from spitzbergen is not established yet, this has been widely reported as Prince harry and his team are stuck in longyearbarn so we may have a bit of a delay to actually get to "THE ICE" but that adds to the excitement! can't really believe it actually happening....

Secret Donation

Last night at Downing Street a wonderful supporter of Louis Dundas Centre For Palliative Care and good friend of Ruth and Bruces has made a big financial pledge on the very understandable condition I actually make it to The North Pole! Superstition forbids me from actually adding it to the totals until I make it so I need even more positive vibes!!! There is a lot riding on this and if any one else wants to speculate in this way I am up for it!!!!!!!

Downing Street

Last night I felt incredibly honoured to be invited to number 10.....Great Ormond Street Hospital Palliative Care unit including Louis Dundas Centre had a small reception last night at number 10, it was a special evening, we were invited by Samantha Cameron who gave a particularly good speech folowed by equally inspirational speeches by the professor of childrens palliative care and other GOSH people, not only was it pretty amazing to be in number 10 and enter through the incredibly shiny front door and ascend the staircase with all the photos of past PMs but any doubts and worries I had about what lies ahead were dispelled by the incredible work GOSH does in managing pain in children with terminal prognosis or severe illness. I cannot begin to imagine how hideous it must be having a child who is so ill and who you can't help when they are in such pain, it is unimaginable and sadly is a fact for many families. There is absoloutly no doubt at all that The Louis Dundas Centre for Palliative Care and GOSH are making significant inroads into managing pain in children and your pennies are making it possible to achieve the massive dream of actaully being able to manage that pain, what a dream! So much inspiration coming from Louis example and of course the Camerons little boy Ivan whos courageous life has also inspired so many people and of course the countless unknown children who have gone through so much but whose courage and examples have also inspired their friends and families to aspire to this dream. Please give generously!

Training Part 2 introducing the boots!

Jeezo two and a half hours in the park today towing the tyre with Lucca really good feel pretty strong I have to say not too stiff after the pull and I am now sitting in my boots which Lucca delivered today. I am proudly told by the attached leaflet that They are warm to - 100! comforting to know my feet will be warm as the rest of me freezes solid! I am not certain they fit I think they might be a bit tight so I am clumping around the flat in them. The rest of the gear is being made in Russia by a company called BASk it is pretty impressive stuff and I should get it next week, I know the coat will make me look like cartman and some poor wolf has given up its life to line the hood and many geese have had their finest down removed to keep me warm, very kind of them.
any way as ever give generously!!!

Training

So training is a little undignified, I have to tow a tyre behind me which simulates my sledge on the ice. Tyre is attached to an elaborate harness I will try and post a photo so you can share the joke/indignity. I think my tyre is a little big but I do feel comforted that it came from a Bentley. I get very strange looks in the park I think I should have a banner saying I am not mad I am training as I am going to the north pole but that is like an oxymoron statement if there is such a thing. I have trained with Lucca and Hazel two of my four team mates, they are super fit in fact eddy and I met Lucca by chance last night as we walked Kevin, lucca was trudging around the park in the dark with his tyre, Kev widdled against it (Tyre not lucca) but he was happy that his daddy is not the only weirdo in the park! I am meeting lucca on sunday for a training session I am afraid he will see how unfit i am and its 29 days to the off.......! Please give generously!!

I'm back!

Having said i would never do another adventure again the lure of the north pole has proved irresistable as has the opportunity to raise funds for some favourite people of mine and their extraordinarily effective charities. I'm happy to take the pain but please can you support this endeavour! My part of the bargain is this, this is the big one, on skis towing a 100lb sledge slogging across one of the most unhospitable terrains on earth in highly unpredictable weather and ice conditions dodging hungry polar bears and ensuring i don't fall through the ice in temperatures of up to - 50 i will spend up to 14 days with two guides attempting to reach the north pole, all i ask in return is that you sponsor my efforts....!