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Thanks for taking the time to visit the 'Pole of Possibility' JustGiving page for the Back-Up Trust, and for your generosity in supporting our fundraising effort.
'Pole of Possibility' is an extraordinary journey, attempting what has never been done before: a journey by arm-power from the edge of the frozen Antarctic continent to the Geographic South Pole. Our overall fundraising target is £1 million for charities that support people with disabilities to lead active and fulfilling lives. The first 100K will be for the Back-Up Trust. The individuals that make up the ‘Pole of Possibility’ team are compelled by adventure, and by breaking down barriers and perceptions of what is possible. The team face a huge challenge: a journey of 1200km, climbing over mountain passes and expanses of windblown snow, through extreme cold and crevasse fields. It will be a unique passage as Karen Darke, paralysed from the chest down, will use a special ‘sit-ski’ and propel herself with her arms, and Major Phil Packer, injured in Iraq, will be going far beyond his last fundraising effort of doing the London Marathon over 2 weeks on crutches! The other team members will pull sleds with enough equipment to survive for up to 60 days in the savage polar conditions. See www.karendarke.com/pole for further info. Your donation to Back-Up will help make a real difference to people's lives after a spinal cord injury. “There was a time when getting out of bed seemed beyond possibility, but with inspiration, hard work and good friends, I’ve discovered that almost anything can be achieved. Yet with the best will and mindset in the world, there are still some obstacles when it comes to overcoming the challenges of disability – the cost of wheelchairs and mobility aids, information, advice and opportunities to get out there and do things. Back-Up helped me rebuild my life after paralysis, gave me the opportunity for fun and adventure, and to see what was still possible.” Karen Darke