Led by polar explorer, Alan Chambers MBE, the team will be journeying to the South Pole, one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet to raise funds for The Lewis Moody Foundation.
Lewis and his team, with the support of corporate partner Y.CO, are undertaking the headsouth expedition as the final epic challenge in the headsup series, which has seen them trek to the North Pole in headnorth, cycle 1000km across Vietnam and Cambodia in headeast and raft, cycle and trek from the east to west coast of Costa-Rica in headwest.
The expedition is aiming to raise £250,000 for The Foundation to help fund a pioneering new clinical trial to change outcomes for those with a brain tumour.
Looking forward to headsouth, challenge leader and guide Alan Chambers, said: “This is going to be one of the toughest challenges that we have faced in the headsup series taking in all four points of the compass.
“We’ll be trekking on the ice across some of Antarctica’s icecap at an altitude of 10,000 feet for up to 12 hours each day. Our aim of reaching the Geographic South Pole is no easy feat for even the most seasoned professionals.
“The conditions will be challenging both mentally and physically, as they endure frozen landscapes and glaciers. To ensure they are in the best shape possible for the trials ahead, the team have undertaken intense, high level preparation and training to simulate the minimum daily distance required on their expedition.”
“We’re all well prepared for the challenge and knowing that we’re doing this to raise money to further crucial research in the fight against brain tumours is a source of considerable motivation and pride.”
Together with team guide, former UK Special Forces officer, Wayne Hoyle, the team are due to arrive in Chile on 1st January 2020, ready to travel to Antarctica, in order to begin the first day of the expedition on 3rd January. Their aim is to complete the expedition and return to Chile by 17th January.
The challenge has the sole purpose of driving donations and fundraising for The Lewis Moody Foundation which supports and funds research into brain tumours – the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under the age of 40.
Each team member has a personal challenge to raise £65,000. The Lewis Moody Foundation’s mission is to support families tackling brain tumours through funding ground-breaking research to improve and support early diagnosis.
The Foundation also funds Family Days for those affected by brain tumour in partnership with The Brain Tumour Charity.
Founder Lewis Moody comments: “As I prepare for the most ambitious in the series of unique endurance challenges I have personally undertaken for The Foundation, I have found myself reflecting on the incredible camaraderie and strength that has been displayed by all of the team as we have pushed our individual and collective limits to all points of the compass.”
“However hard the challenge – in this case the sheer bleakness and paralysing cold of the Antarctic – what really chills me to the bone is the equally bleak realisation that brain tumours remain THE biggest cancer killer of children and adults.
“This sobering fact has provided the motivation for our fundraising and driven the inner discipline required to face each of the challenges.
“These challenges have taken me to my physical limits but it seems a small price to pay when compared to the harsh and devastating reality for those living with a brain tumour. Improving the options and giving hope to those diagnosed in the future will drive me on during this unforgiving and relentless expedition.”
The donations and money raised through headsouth will help fund The Tessa-Jowell BRAIN-MATRIX; a pioneering clinical trial that will enable doctors to treat brain tumour patients with drugs that are more targeted than ever before.
Pic © www.tyronmills.photography