TWO Cable & Wireless employees are hoping to raise thousands of pounds for the Gosh appeal by racing to the North Pole. The company’s Sark manager Simon Elmont, 35, and Alderney manager Steven Wright, 38, have begun a gruelling training schedule to get them fit enough for the Polar Race 2005 - one of the most demanding endurance races in the world.
‘We were attracted to the adventure element of the race and fascinated at the idea of taking part in something that very few people have attempted before,’ said Mr Elmont.
His co-runner agreed.
‘It is an enormous challenge and having the incentive of raising funds for the Gosh appeal finally convinced us to go for it,’ said Mr Wright.
‘It just seemed like an opportunity that couldn’t be missed.’
They will be racing in April next year from Resolute Bay in Nunavut in the far north
of Canada to the magnetic North Pole.
Cable & Wireless has funded £20,000 to support the team and the men need to raise a further £20,000 to meet the entrance fee. As well as preparing for the race, the team will be raising funds for Gosh through sponsorship and have set themselves a target of another £20,000.
As Sark manager and engineer, Mr Elmont oversees the company’s network in the island. He is heavily involved with the local community, coaching and taking part in football, cricket and rugby.
Mr Wright oversees three members of staff in Alderney. He is a cox and training co-ordinator for the Trent lifeboat and is currently building his own 13-metre ocean-sailing catamaran.
They are keen runners and walkers but agree that the Polar Race will take their involvement in sport to a whole new level. The challenge will have its mental and physical tolls.
They will walk and ski more than 400 miles in temperatures as low as -40C, pulling a 75-kilo sledge. They will face bitter winds, inhospitable terrain and even the danger of polar bears. They will be vying against teams from around the world for the coveted Wedgwood Blue Ice Trophy.
‘We’re under no illusions about the dangers, but with great risk comes great reward and we are excited at the idea of taking part and raising money for such a worthwhile cause,’ said Mr Wright.
The men train independently of one another in their island but come together on occasions. Their schedule includes dragging tyres on ropes up and down the coast as well as challenging walks and runs.
With £20,000 still to raise to meet the entrance fee, both are keen to encourage other Guernsey businesses to sponsor them.
Cable & Wireless marketing director Jim Coupe said the company was delighted to support them.
‘We would encourage any company, looking at where its sponsorship budget for this year should go, to consider supporting the Polar Race team.
‘Polar racing is an exciting, high-tech and environmentally aware sport and it portrays supreme human effort as Steve and Simon take on the forces of nature. We are expecting global interest in this event and it would be fantastic if the Bailiwick’s business community could be there all the way.’
*The Polar Race 2005 will be the second time the event has been staged.
It was inspired by two of the best modern-day British adventurers, Jock Wishart and David Hempleman-Adams, both of whom have set world records, reached the North Pole and challenged the oceans.
Cable & Wireless previously sponsored Mr Wishart when he broke the round-the-world powerboat record in 1998.
Advice from Mr Wishart and Mr Hempleman-Adams ensured that all four teams in 2003 made it to the finish line in safety.
* The Great Ormond Street Hospital appeal seeks to raise £500,000 for a Guernsey floor at its new patient ‘hotel’.
Article posted on 17th August, 2004 - 12.00am
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