PizzaExpress people know how to have fun in their spare time. This April, a group of brave, intrepid chefs, waiters, support staff and our Chief Executive will run theNorth Pole Marathon.

After landing on ice, the Arctic adventurers plan to finish 26.2 miles in one of the remotest parts of the planet where the sun never sets at this time of year. Wearing three layers of clothing and snow shoes, they’ll be running on an ice sheet some 6 to 12 feet thick, the only thing separating them from 12,000 feet of Arctic Ocean.

You may be thinking... ‘why?!’

Battling against extreme sub-zero temperatures with a wind chill of -30 degrees and dodging polar bears for fear of being eaten may not be everyone’s idea of fun. Yet for the team, the reasons for taking part are simple.  By completing this incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience, the team hopes to raise lots of cash for Kids, a national charity that helps disabled children and young people live life to the full.

How you can help

Please donate now online, or send cheques payable to Kids to Jo Gowing, PizzaExpress, 1 Union Business Park, Florence Way, Uxbridge UB8 2LS.  All donations will go directly to the Charlie Chaplin Adventure Playground and other similar facilities.  run by Kids, it's a safe environment for disabled children to play, make choices, take risks and have fun.  Check out www.kids.org.uk or www.pizzaexpress.com to find out more and meet the team.

£5,000 could pay for free transport to playgrounds for 40 children; £10,000 will contribute to the upkeep of the current facilities; £1,000 would provide arts and craft materials; £250 would provide four play workers for a day, enabling more children to attend the playground; just £10 buys a stacking toy to help a child improve their manual dexterity - the list is endless. 

Finally...

Thank you for visiting the PizzaExpress North Pole Marathon Team fundraising page.  Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Kids will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor the team now!   Many thanks for your support.