Fife Explorers Heading To Arctic Circle

Two company directors from Fife say they're ready for their 120 km trek across the Arctic Circle

World record breaking explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes has offered his best wishes to Team Challenge Company’s two directors ahead of their daring charity fundraising trek across theArctic, one of the harshest environments on earth.

The man, described by the Guinness Book of Records as the ‘world’s greatest living explorer’, recorded the video message of support after doing a speech at a corporate event in the UK. In the short clip, Sir Fiennes wishes Gerard Crowley and Stephen Hazley the ‘very best of luck’ for their gruelling 10-day trek.

The two directors of Team Challenge Company are embarking on this epic journey to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes joins former Prime Minister, and now Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP, Gordon Brown as the big name supporters of Team Challenge Company’s endeavours. The Right Honourable Mr Brown leant his support by stating;
"I applaud the commitment and initiative of all involved, especially the volunteers from Team Challenge Company who will be undertaking the Arctic Challenge. They will set out with my best wishes and admiration.”

On Sunday 22nd February, Team Challenge Company directors Gerard Crowley and Stephen Hazley fly to the Arctic Circle to complete the 120-kilometre journey in temperatures between zero and minus 35°C. The trek requires six hours travel per day, across country, up hills and over frozen lakes, towing all their kit on a sledge weighing up to 35Kg, the equivalent of pulling four car tyres.

The energetic events duo from Team Challenge Company have been following a strict training regime; including 5am wake up calls to practice walking with a 35Kg sled for up to four hours; a healthier diet with increased calories for energy; training in shorts and t-shirts outside in the Scottish winter to get used to sub-zero temperatures; as well as four gym sessions a week to build up strength.

Team Challenge Company director Gerard Crowley was excited to have received the explorer’s words of encouragement. He said:
“Having someone as experienced as Sir Ranulph Fiennes wishing us luck has given us a great boost; he is an inspirational explorer and his video has motivated us even more. The training over the last few months has been tough, but we know the more we train - the easier thechallenge will be. Alongside the gym sessions and 5am starts, the whole team has been fundraising and we want to thank all those who have supported us so far and hope others will get behind us and help us reach our fundraising target.”