Member Article

Environmental Academy sponsors Pole efforts

A North East training provider has pledged its support and sponsorship to a local man in his efforts to race to the North Pole. Gareth Ellis, from Norton near Stockton, began his race earlier this week. Having entered the challenge to race to the South Pole later in the year, Gareth’s efforts to reach both poles are raising funds for three charities: the NSPCC, the Juvenile diabetes Research Fund and the Polar Bear International Research Fund.

Gateshead-based training provider, the Environmental Academy, heard about Gareth’s expeditions earlier this year and decided to help him out.

Anna-Lisa Kelso, director of learning for the Environmental Academy, said: “Gareth’s training and expeditions tie in perfectly with the ethos of our company that we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to provide him with as much help and support as we could.”

Providing funding for training expeditions to, amongst other areas of the world, Norway and the beaches of the North East, the Environmental Academy will be keeping a close eye on Gareth’s progress during his journey.

Anna-Lisa said: “Gareth has an Environmental Academy flag that he is going to plant at the North Pole when he reaches it in approximately three weeks - we’re very excited to be able to help Gareth with his fundraising for such deserving charities.”

The race, called the Polar Challenge, is a 350 mile ski race across the polar ice cap to the North Pole. Teams of three will race against each other, all pulling their own supplies on 120lb sledges, enduring temperatures as low as -50°C. Teams from all over the world will compete to be the first to reach the magnetic pole.

Gareth’s progress can be watched by logging on to www.mcware.co.uk/polar.html where he will be posting a regular blog.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .