The PSP Association

EXTREME: ADVENTURER SET TO TACKLE FIERCE WINDS AND -40 TEMPERATURES IN TREK

An adventurer is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for PSPA by taking part in a race to the South Pole.
Julian Evans, of Market Harborough, is in training for the 440-mile Centenary Race, which will see him tackling brutal terrain, fierce winds and temperatures as low as -40C. The trek, which starts in December, commemorates the 100th anniversary of the ill-fated race between Brit Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen, in which the Norwegian beat Scott by 33 days.

Julian said: "It is a great privilege to be able to take part in events like this. I have been fascinated by polar exploration since I was a child." The 38-year-old is no stranger to extreme challenges. Two years ago, he trekked to the North Pole. During the journey, a hungry polar bear attacked the camp and had to be scared off by gunshots. He has also taken part in a dozen fund-raising marathons, including the punishing Marathon des Sables across the Moroccan desert.

Julian, who lives with his wife, Vicky, said: "I suppose it could be considered selfish that I take so much time out for expeditions and running marathons. But I am raising money for PSP and my sponsors have been very generous."

So far, five teams of three have signed up for the six-week race, which will start in December from the Russian Novo polar station to the South Pole. For Julian, completing the trek would put him among just a small number of people who have made it to both poles. He said: "The race will require a high level of fitness and mental endurance, negotiating crevasses, snow bridges, 3,000mhigh polar plateau, winds of up to 80mph and potential snowstorms. "To put things in context, about 3,500 people have climbed Everest, only 600 have walked to any pole and less than 100 people have ever walked to two poles."

Since 1999, Julian has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity travelling the world and is hoping the Centenary Race will raise between £10,000 and £20,000 in sponsorship for PSPA.

For more information, visit: www.julian-evans.co.uk