From my first half marathon to the Arctic 🏃‍♂️❄️

Apparently taking on the Arctic wasn’t enough...

So before heading to Swedish Lapland in January, I’ve signed up for the Robin Hood Half Marathon in Nottingham on 27 September 2026 — my first ever half marathon.

I’ll be using the 13.1 miles, and all the training that comes before it, to kick-start my fundraising for an even bigger challenge: The Arctic Challenge 2027, raising money for the National Literacy Trust.

THE ARCTIC CHALLENGE ❄️

In January 2027, I’ll be swapping my desk, screens, data models and warm office at Experian for the extreme winter of Arctic Lapland.

Over four intense days north of Kiruna, Sweden, I’ll be taking on a series of challenges designed to test both physical and mental resilience, including:

🐕 A 35km dog sled race

🥾 A 20km Nordic hike

🎣 Ice fishing

🧭 Orienteering

🔥 Woodland fire lighting

❄️ And the small matter of doing it all in the freezing temperatures and minimal daylight of the Arctic winter.

The challenge even finishes with a visit to the famous Icehotel at Jukkasjärvi — assuming I make it that far!

It is going to push me well outside my comfort zone.

But there’s a much bigger reason for doing it.

WHY I’M DOING IT ❤️

Literacy changes everything.

It gives children the tools to get the most out of life and the power to shape their own futures.

But low literacy remains closely linked with poverty in the UK.

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds can start school with literacy skills already 19 months behind their more privileged peers. Once that gap opens, it can be incredibly difficult to close, laying the foundations for inequalities that can affect education, employment, health and wellbeing later in life.

A child’s potential shouldn’t be determined by the circumstances they are born into.

And that is why I’m supporting the National Literacy Trust.

The charity works to break the cycle of poverty and low literacy, supporting children, families and communities where the need is greatest and helping young people gain the literacy and communication skills they need to fulfil their potential.

WHAT YOUR SUPPORT CAN DO 📚

The money raised through the Arctic Challenge supports the National Literacy Trust’s work with children and young people.

To put that into perspective:

£15 could put a child’s very first book into their hands.

£25 could help a child attend an inspirational reading and storytelling event where they can choose and keep three new books.

£50 could help train an early-years volunteer to support parents and carers in developing their children’s language, communication and literacy skills.

£100 could help a teenager take part in a specialist programme, developing their communication skills and connecting with inspiring professionals who can help shape their future aspirations.

MY TARGET: £2,200 🎯

I’ve committed to raising £2,200 for the Arctic Challenge.

And the journey starts with something that feels like a pretty big challenge in its own right...

My first half marathon.

On 27 September 2026, I’ll be taking on 13.1 miles around Nottingham at the Robin Hood Half Marathon.

So whether you’re sponsoring me for those first 13.1 miles, supporting the Arctic Challenge itself, or just enjoying the thought of me voluntarily signing up for several months of running followed by four days in sub-zero Lapland, I would be hugely grateful for anything you can give.

Whether it’s £5, £10, the price of a coffee or anything more, every donation will take me another step towards that £2,200 target and help support the National Literacy Trust’s work.

First stop: 13.1 miles around Nottingham.

Next stop: the Arctic.

Thank you so much for backing me. ❤️

Ben