In April 2027, I’ll be taking on what will undoubtedly be the toughest challenge of my life: an approximately 120km ski traverse across Norway’s Hardangervidda plateau, raising money for 2041 School and the Royal Marines Charity.

Led by legendary polar explorers Louis Rudd MBE and Dr Amelia Rudd, our team will be accompanying Lee Spencer, “The Rowing Marine”, across Europe’s largest mountain plateau.

Over six consecutive days, we’ll ski from Finse to Haukeliseter through a vast wilderness of frozen lakes and high mountain terrain. We’ll be covering up to 25km a day in freezing temperatures and unpredictable weather, where our endurance, resilience and teamwork will be properly tested.

I’ve taken on several charity challenges over the years, including the London Marathon, the Three Peaks Challenge and the Kentish Killer cycle ride. However, skiing across the Hardangervidda will take me well beyond anything I’ve attempted before and will be a completely new physical and mental challenge.

I’ll be 54 by the time we set off and have never attempted anything quite like this before. The training has already started, and there is plenty of hard work ahead to make sure I’m ready for the demands of the expedition.

The charities we’re supporting

The expedition is aiming to raise £50,000 collectively for two fantastic causes: 2041 School and the Royal Marines Charity.

The Royal Marines Charity provides lifelong support to serving and former Royal Marines, as well as their families and dependants. This is particularly fitting as we accompany former Royal Marine and world record-holding endurance athlete Lee Spencer on the challenge.

2041 School is a registered charity focused on educating and inspiring primary-school children about Antarctica, protected environments and the importance of environmental conservation.

Its mission is to recruit pupils, teachers and schools and give them a special purpose: to become “Champions of Antarctica”. Through its educational resources, 2041 School is helping to give the next generation the knowledge and inspiration needed to protect one of the world’s last great wildernesses.

I’m proud to be supporting the team around Lee and raising money for both charities. However, as someone who works in sustainability, I feel particularly connected to the environmental work of 2041 School. Protecting our natural world is central to my professional life, and this challenge gives me an opportunity to contribute on a much more personal level.

How you can help

Every donation, however large or small, will support the two charities and give me some much-needed motivation throughout the months of training and during those difficult days out on the ice!

Thank you for supporting me and these two brilliant causes. It genuinely means a great deal.