A GROUP of intrepid adventurers have trekked through one of the harshest environments on Earth to raise tens of thousands of pounds for a North-East hospice.
Seven dedicated fundraisers spent a week trekking through snow and ice for the Arctic Survival Trek in aid of Butterwick Hospice.
The challenge took the team to remote Sweden, just 150km south of the Arctic Circle.
Together, the group has raised more than £38,000 for the end-of-life charity, which offers care and support to terminally ill people and their families across the North-East.
The team spent the week learning how to survive in some of the deadliest conditions on the planet, where the temperature regularly dropped to -20C (-4F).
Skills they had to learn included how to make fire, find food, build a shelter, and how to move around the harsh environment.
The expedition culminated in a three-day survival challenge, which tested everything group had learned. Happily, all seven of them made it back to the UK, alive and in good spirits.
The team included three members of the Butterwick Hospice staff and volunteer team: hospice trustee Paul Bury; volunteer gardener Peter Compton; and professional fundraiser Lyndsey Barnes. They were joined by Matt Garget, Ros Seagrave, Sabrina Parker, and Ralph Pickles.
Lyndsey said: “I was originally going to have a detached role in this challenge, supporting and helping the team with their fundraising, but eventually I just couldn’t resist joining in, and I’m so glad I did!
“This has been an absolutely amazing experience. Everyone on the team has performed incredibly, and we’re all so proud to have raised this money for Butterwick Hospice.”
The trek was the latest in the series of annual overseas challenges organised by Butterwick Hospice Care. The destination of the next challenge is yet to be announced, but anyone interest in participating can contact Lyndsey Barnes on 01642 628 930.