Story
A 'Motley' Crew, One Mission.
ADAM: As a sometime professional rugby player, I had the enormous good fortune to play for Harlequin FC and to captain Middlesex and Lloyd's of London, before realising that turning up at meetings with a bloodied face was scaring the clients. A successful career in the City taught me that most problems can be solved with a phone call, a strong coffee and a long lunch. I'm told none of these work terribly well on a frozen Norwegian plateau.
Peak fitness is now a matter of historical record, but what survives from the rugby years is a solid tolerance for being cold, wet and slightly out of my depth in the company of large men, which is, on reflection, precisely the skill set this trip demands.
Since then I've swapped the rugby pitch for the saddle, completing L'Étape, the Fred Whitton, the Mallorca 312 and rather more Dallaglio Cycle Slams than my wife considers reasonable. It's honed a real talent for enduring monotony without complaint, which I'm hoping transfers. It won't help with the cold, and it certainly won't help with my skiing, which can charitably be described as "developing".
Best of all is the company: I'm crossing the Hardangervidda with my wife Camilla and a group of former Harlequins teammates. Older, slower, and this time heading voluntarily somewhere without a bar.
Please give generously. It'll make the falling over feel worthwhile.
CAMILLA: With more time on my hands now and having taken up ultramarathon running, I'm at my happiest on a trail, in the heat, and ideally somewhere the forecast contains a large yellow circle. I am a sun lover in the fullest sense, so a week on a frozen Norwegian plateau represents a fairly bold departure from my usual training conditions. I have been assured there will be daylight.
As for endurance, I've been married to Adam for some time now, so I come well prepared. I'm quietly confident I'll be the one setting the pace across the Hardangervidda, though I'll graciously let him think otherwise.
I'm really excited about this one. It's our first big challenge together rather than in parallel, and doing it alongside Adam and his old Harlequins teammates should at least be entertaining!
Please do sponsor us generously. It's cold out there.
THE TEAM: with one ambitious goal: to raise £50,000 by taking on the Hardangervidda Plateau for charities doing extraordinary work – 2041 School and The Royal Marines Charity.
Two causes. One purpose.
2041 School (RCN. 1202447) is a non-profit Antarctica education programme bringing the story of Antarctica, protected environments and environmental conservation into primary schools. Its aim is to inspire children to become Champions of Antarctica — understanding the importance of our planet and their role in protecting it.
The Royal Marines Charity (RCN. 6047294) provides lifelong support to serving and former Royal Marines, together with their families and dependants, helping those who have served our country navigate the challenges that can come during and after service.
The causes may seem worlds apart. One is inspiring the next generation to understand and protect our planet; the other provides lifelong support to serving and former Royal Marines and their families.
The two charities are united by a shared belief in service and protecting the planet for peace through education and resilience.
The Challenge
The team will take on more than 100 kilometres of Norway's Hardangervidda plateau, travelling from Finse to Haukeliseter across frozen lakes, exposed wilderness and high mountain terrain.
This is no ordinary trek.
Hardangervidda is a vast and unforgiving landscape, where bitter winds, deep snow and rapidly changing weather can turn a beautiful mountain plateau into a serious test of endurance. A multi-day Arctic mountain traverse demands fitness, efficient skiing, sound judgement and, above all, teamwork.
The expedition will be led by two of the world's most experienced polar explorers: Louis Rudd, MBE, and Dr Amelia Rudd.
Louis is the only person to have skied twice across Antarctica, while Amelia was the seventh woman in history to ski solo and unsupported from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole.
Having trained as a ski instructor for the Royal Marines in Hardangervidda, Lee Spencer, the world’s only disabled person to break and hold a world record in an able-bodied endurance event having rowed across the Atlantic solo in 60 days, 16 hours and 6 minutes in 2019, has harboured the ambition of successfully crossing the Valley on skis.
Disability does not remove ambition, leadership or the ability to perform at a high level. Crossing Hardangervidda will demand preparation, adaptability and trust in the people around us. As the expedition team helps demonstrate human capabilities and potential, we also will be supporting the Royal Marines community and encouraging young people to understand their responsibility for the future of the planet. - Lee Spencer
The wider team is being brought together by Simon Cooke, a business leader and supporter of 2041 School, who is helping to build the team and bring the campaign to life through his personal and professional networks.
Joining this expedition is an opportunity to stand beside Lee Spencer, raise meaningful support for two important charities and show what can happen when a team is built around purpose and belief. We are incredibly fortunate to have Louis and Amelia Rudd volunteering as our team leaders, making this a unique opportunity to take on a really tough challenge as we accompany and support Lee while being guided by the very best Arctic and Antarctic explorers! - Simon Cooke
Our Goal
Our goal is to raise £50,000 collectively for 2041 School and The Royal Marines Charity.
This expedition is about more than crossing a frozen landscape. It is about challenging perceptions, changing mindsets and demonstrating what can be achieved when people with different backgrounds, experiences and abilities come together behind a common purpose.
It is a true test of human potential — and an opportunity to use that challenge to make a difference to others.
Every donation, whatever the size, will help us get closer to that goal and support two causes that are working to create a better future — for people and for our planet.
Please donate and support the team on this extraordinary journey.