In January 2026, we will be swapping our sunglasses for ski goggles as we venture to Lapland for a once-in-a-lifetime fundraising opportunity! The Arctic Challenge is an inspiring wilderness endurance challenge where we will be completing activities such as dog sledding, orienteering, and a 12 mile hike in deep snow and minus temperatures. Most importantly, the challenge is a way for us to raise money for the National Literacy Trust, and the money raised will help to transform the life stories of children in the most disadvantaged areas of the UK.

The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that works with communities, schools and families who need us the most to empower people with the literacy skills they need to thrive. Children from the poorest backgrounds shouldn't have their potential cut short before their lives have really begun. 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

Think about how your life might be affected without the ability to read...

As a mother-daughter duo with a love for literature, and one with a career in publishing, we don't know where we would be without our ability to read. This skill is vital for everything we do – not just accessing books, but allowing us to travel, communicate with others, and maintain jobs. If, like us, you believe in the importance of reading as a basic skill that all children should have access to, please consider donating to the National Literacy Trust. Here is an overview of what your money can do:

- £50 can help train a volunteer to work with parents with low literacy levels, giving them the skills to be able to support their children

- £100 could contribute towards an NLT hub, creating long-term change in areas of low literacy in the UK

- £280 could inspire a class of children to read for pleasure through a ten-week programme working with Premier League footballers

- £600 could enable to recruitment and training of ten business volunteers, which would be enough to help a class of disadvantaged young people to improve their communication skills and prepare them for employment

Anything you can give would be extremely appreciated, and even just spreading the word for others to donate is really valuable and goes a long way towards us reaching our fundraising goal. Please do pass this on to anyone you believe would be willing to support such an important cause.

Thank you for supporting us on our journey!