Raised: 91%
Target: £15,000.00
Raised so far: £13,600.00
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My story

 
To coincide with International Polar Year, our team will ski the 'Last Degree' unsupported to the North Pole in order to raise funds for the Outward Bound.

The North Polar region is one of the least explored places on earth, offering some of the most brutal and exposed conditions.  Less than 200 people have skied any distance unsupported to the North Pole.

Our expedition goal will be to ski the last degree of latitude to the geographic North Pole in April 2007.  This will involve at least 8 days of unsupported endurance skiing over 110km of shifting pack ice in -25°C to -35°C temperatures.  The team will be totally self sufficient, pulling our own survival equipment and gear in sledges.  Each day we will ski for 8-9 hours; burning over 7,000 calories and consuming around 5,500.

National Geographic have commissioned a feature for their magazine and are sending a photographer and writer to be part of the team.

Whilst firmly an adventure tourist rather than explorer, I have never set myself a bigger challenge – the combined goal of completing the physical challenge and raising £15,000 for a fantastic cause.  The trip will be the culmination of six months of extensive training and preparation, physical and logistical.

Setting personal challenges and overcoming adversity to achieve them reflects the ethos that The Outward Bound Trust has consistently inspired in young people for over 50 years.  Your funding will go towards bursaries to enable young people from less advantaged backgrounds – for whom building self-esteem is key –  to attend residential Outward Bound courses.

All the costs of the trip will be funded by myself and Coca-Cola.  Your donation will go directly to the Outward Bound Trust.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and secure. If you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. 

A £100 donation will mean £128 will go directly to Outward Bound.

Alternatively you can forward a cheque to me payable to "The Outward Bound Trust". Thank you in advance for your support. It will keep me going during my training and warm while on the ice cap! 

Good luck with the trip from all at BD Donation by bd-ntwk 10/04/07  

£250.00

fantastic idea.... hope your thermals work Donation by jason briggs 10/04/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Jim. I look forward to seeing the pictures and hearing the tales Donation by Andrew Barton 05/04/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of Luck Donation by Annabel Venner 04/04/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Wishing you the best of luck! Donation by Emma Wigzell 03/04/07  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

I think you are completely mad....but what a thing to do. Good Luck and watch the frost bite! Donation by Danielle Colbert 03/04/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of British James - hats off to you!! Donation by julie o'neill 02/04/07  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck and look forward to hearing all about it on your return Donation by Max Cameron 01/04/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

The very best of luck, hope its a fantastic trip for you. Donation by Jo Hyder 30/03/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

I know how cold it will be....the very best of luck! Donation by Edward Wallace 29/03/07  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Good luck Donation by Linda Neville 29/03/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good Luck James - remember COLD FEET!! Donation by James Clarke 26/03/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Go for it boy - through the pain! Donation by The Blackies 22/03/07  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

good luck! Donation by anonymous 20/03/07  

£55.00 + £15.51 Gift Aid

Donation by Epoch Design 19/03/07  

£100.00

Jim-boy, this is well below (Coke) Zero - respect! Donation by Wayne Rooney 19/03/07  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

What a challenge, good luck Donation by Arran Heal 15/03/07  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by Mark Matthews 14/03/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck guys! Donation by Stephen Fry 14/03/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck James. Remember..no swimming! Donation by Tara Mason 13/03/07  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Think your nuts but all the best! Donation by James 11/03/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck. But you are completely mad. Donation by Richard Oliver 07/03/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

One night in the Ice Hotel was enough for me!!! Good luck. Donation by Rupert Patrick 06/03/07  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

All the very best of good fortune for your arduous trek Donation by Nicko Franks(Simon H-N's Pa-in-law) 05/03/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck James - truly inspiring! Donation by Umeeda 04/03/07  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

James, an incredible and inspiring adventure. Can't wait to see the pictures in Nat Geographic! Donation by Ben Pendrey 03/03/07  

£20.00

Best of luck James - keep up the Banana spirit! Donation by John B 27/02/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck James.. hope you receive your snow boots in time! Donation by Paige Jones 27/02/07  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

So when exactly do you turn 40? Donation by Simon H-N 27/02/07  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

best of luck james Donation by jayne lawrence 26/02/07  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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