Worcestershire duo set for Arctic trek of a lifetime for charity (From Worcester News)

Worcestershire duo set for Arctic trek of a lifetime for charity

10:30am Saturday 20th March 2010 in

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TWO intrepid adventurers have braved temperatures of minus 20 degrees to prepare for a trip of a lifetime.

Diana McLean and Rob Veale are undertaking an Arctic Challenge as part of their company’s 10th anniversary challenge to raise £10,000 for charity – and have had a little help from the University of Worcester.

Following stories on the pair in your Worcester News earlier this year, the University of Worcester spotted the articles and offered to give them a helping hand.

Miss McLean, aged 30 who is head of leisure sales, along with Mr Veale, 24, team leader at hotelshopUK, Droitwich, were able to experience how they will react to the cold arctic weather at the university’s environmental test chamber.

The chamber is housed in the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit (NPARU) and is capable of replicating most of the world's environmental conditions.

Once inside the chamber they experienced extreme low temperatures, mimicking the conditions of the Arctic. Humidity and oxygen levels in the chamber can be controlled and the air entering the chamber filtered to remove particles such as dust and pollen.

Christian Niles, senior technician at NPARU, said: “They got on really well in the chamber.

“We carried out some dexterity and speed tests with them and they performed well.

“With the dexterity tests, their reactions slowed down as their hands got colder.

“They said that the experience gave them a good idea of what to expect and how to cope on their challenge. We are looking forward to hearing how they get on.”

Mr Veale said: “This was very much a mental preparation exercise as well as physical. It was great to be able to experience it.

“We did the tests and we noticed that as the time went on our reactions got slower and slower.

“The Arctic Challenge will be very tough, but Diana and I are really excited and focused on raising as much as we can for the Prince's Trust."

During their five day trek, starting on Tuesday, they will be surviving in temperatures as low as minus 30°c.

The trip, acknowledged to be the ultimate team challenge, will see them snowmobiling, Nordic skiing, dog sledding, team long-skiing and ice-fishing across the 350 kilometre distance, for up to nine hours every day.

The pair will be raising money for the Prince’s Trust in Worcestershire.

To help hotelshopUK's Arctic Challengers with kit or to make a donation, call Miss McLean on 01905 792835 or visit hotelshopuk.com.