Children from the poorest backgrounds shouldn't have their potential cut short before their lives have really begun.

The Arctic Challenge is an inspiring wilderness endurance challenge held over a long weekend, incorporating a dog sled race, Nordic ski, ice fishing, orienteering and woodland fire lighting. Find out more details at https://literacytrust.org.uk/support-us/fundraising/national-literacy-trusts-arctic-team-challenge/.

Money raised by participants taking part in this event will help to transform the life stories of children in the most disadvantaged areas of the UK.

On average, children from the poorest backgrounds start school 19 months behind their more privileged peers.

Children without the expected level of literacy skills are held back at every stage of their lives. They are:

- five times more likely to fail to meet the expected standards in English at age 11

- four times more likely to be unemployed aged 34

- three times more likely to have mental health problems as adults.

Thank you for supporting our participants in this year's Arctic Challenge https://literacytrust.org.uk/support-us/fundraising/national-literacy-trusts-arctic-team-challenge/.