Black Isle woman's sub-zero Arctic dog sled challenge in Lapland aims to bring a warm glow to Highland Hospice
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FRIENDS with a shared drive to boost the lifeline work of Highland Hospice are preparing to be dragged out of their comfort zones and into the biting cold of Lapland for an Arctic adventure of a lifetime.
Roma McIntosh (57) of North Kessock and Amanda Johnston (48) of Inverness have set their sights on bringing home £7000 for the hospice after the 260km five-day sled challenge starting in the Arctic city of Tromso in Norway.
“These last months during the Covid-19 pandemic have brought home to us how short life is and how quickly time passes. This has had a sobering effect on us and has made us begin to do things that push us out of our comfort zone.”
Roma, who works for Scotia Homes, and Amanda, a Forestry Commission employee, have already set up a string of fundraising events, including a Christmas market stall at North Kessock on December 11.
Roma said: “We, like many, have seen friends lose loved ones from cancer and have seen the pain and suffering endured. Cancer touches us all in different ways. Highland Hospice offers terminally ill patients and their families the best possible care and support, helping improve their quality of life.
“These last months during the Covid-19 pandemic have brought home to us how short life is and how quickly time passes. This has had a sobering effect on us and has made us begin to do things that push us out of our comfort zone.”
The keen “art college dropout” is selling pyrography Christmas Eve boxes and engraved glass hurricane lamps and can turn her hand to many crafts.
Fashion shows, race nights and pub quizzes are all on the horizon.
Roma added: “The challenge is going to be amazing, I still can’t quite believe we are really doing it.”
The dynamic duo won’t be heading north until March 2023, deciding to give themselves plenty of time to raise as much as they can. Next year looks set to be a blur of activity with the pub quiz planned for the end of next month in the North Kessock Hotel with stovies and a raffle adding to the fun.
Roma said: “We’re also working on putting together a race night for May. Then later next year a fashion show, with a firm that comes up from Manchester. We’ve managed to secure some amazing prizes for upcoming raffles, including a stay on Harris, so next year is going to be hectic.”
The sled challenge over 260km of Lapland through Norway to Sweden will involve taking care of a team of huskies, cooking their own food and setting up camp in temperatures of –20C.
There are no showering facilities “and the toilet is behind any nearby tree!”
The pair have set up a JustGiving page appealing to people to find out more and consider supporting them. It can be found at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/amanda-roma
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