Arctic challenge will see intrepid trio take on Lapland Husky Trail in Norway and Sweden to boost Highland Hospice coffers
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An intrepid Highland trio is hoping to travel to Scandinavia next year to tackle the Lapland Husky Trail challenge in aid of Highland Hospice.
The three friends are David Philips, a 37-year-old retail manager and Christopher Andrew, a 36-year-old construction worker, who are both from Inverness, along with Francesca Marchetti, a 31-year-old fundraising administrator who moved to the area from her homeland of Italy.
In March next year they are planning to set off from Norway and travel a distance of 270km to neighbouring Sweden by dog sled in extreme sub-zero temperatures.
Their challenge begins in the Arctic city of Tromso and they will finish at the world famous Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi.
Although they will be accompanied by guides to help them during the journey, they will be doing most of the work themselves – including making and breaking camps as well as looking after the welfare of the huskies.
Mr Philips said: “All three of us are close friends and all members at Highland Martial Arts Centre in Inverness, where we train together. We all get on really well and feel more than ready to be taking on this challenge and everything it could throw at us on both a physical and mental level.”
He added that he was taking care of the business and motivation end of the project, including planning, organising and making sure everything was on track, Mr Andrew helped with motivation and keeping everyone going, while Ms Marchetti was the sensible one who made sure they kept their plans realistic as well as being an “amazing Italian cook”.
“Chris is a keen local amateur photographer so we will be documenting all parts throughout our journey, the three of us are really hoping to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights – myself having previously travelled all the way to Iceland with family for this very reason only to come up empty handed,” Mr Philips said. “It really is a challenge of a lifetime where we hope to raise as much money as possible for the hospice. The charity itself is close to all our hearts.”
They have set a target of at least £16,000 and to make a donation either visit here or here.
