With so many wonderful national charity campaigns happening in the UK it can be a challenge to be heard sometimes, but one man from Redditch is continuing to ramp up his training as he gets ready to set off on his personal epic journey to trek to the North Pole, a trek which he hopes will help generate £100,000 for Cancer Research UK.
Personally funding the trip, businessman Dean Attwell leaves on Monday 10th April, so between now and when he leaves his training will continue to intensify to ensure he’s challenge ready.
Losing his mother-in-law to cancer and subsequently seeing the devastating effect cancer has had on members of his family, friends and colleagues has made him want to undertake this extraordinary personal challenge.
Dean commented: “I’ve covered and paid for all my expedition costs, which means every single pound people generously donate will go directly to Cancer Research UK.
“The Brits are known for their charitable hearts and give an enormous amount to charity every year. I know £100,000 is a crazy fundraising target, it’s massive, but I really do believe it’s achievable as every donation people make, however small, will help me reach this goal; one less coffee or pint at the pub, it all adds up.”
A training camp in Minnesota, USA, put Dean through his paces with essential survival training, fundamental in preparations for life at the North Pole, which involves walking for up to 10 hours a day in potentially minus 45 degrees centigrade, for 16 days.
Over the last two-years many people in Dean’s life have been touched by, or have succumbed to cancer. His mother-in-law, Ruby Tuffin Delves, died of cancer in October 2015 and it was her natural spark and huge enthusiasm for life that was pivotal in his North Pole Challenge decision.
Cancer also claimed the life of a much valued Oakland International employee, Stefan Bakalar, as well as the life of Simon Ward, a fit and healthy young man, instrumental in helping Dean lose weight and train, as well as John Brown, an 18-year old former head boy at Bredon School who made an everlasting and positive impression on Dean’s son when he started his secondary school education.
Dean added: “Thank you to everyone who has already pledged or donated and please ‘dig deep’ and donate as Cancer is something that can affect even the healthiest of us.”
You can donate and support Cancer Research UK and Dean via his JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/NorthPoleDean