After 5 successful expeditions this year in support of my school outreach work, 4 of which being in the arctic. It now looks as if the south pole may not be taking place. I have managed to secure half the funds for this potentially historic expedition in aid of my polar grand slam ambition, to become the first Briton to ski to both poles and across Greenland in just 12 months. Sadly, it now looks like this is not meant to happen this year.

This past week has been a real roller coaster of emotion and at times looking like the expedition would in fact be taking place. A private sponsor has come forward from Canada who is willing to pay half of the funds required for the trip. The other half was nearly secured this week but unfortunately has just fallen through. A bitter blow indeed.

This is not an easy life at times, living in a rented room with big ideas but I am determined to make this happen for the future. I have proved to myself over the past 3 years that I have what it takes, I have the experience to achieve this dream but am simply lacking the money to achieve it. I am a long way from being a rich man and so when I step out on expedition, I do not go alone because everyone who has sponsored me or supported me in making my expeditions happen, comes with me.

I always get asked “why do you do it?” The answer is a simple one in many ways, I love the challenge and love being able to talk about it within schools upon my return. There is nothing more rewarding than completing something that takes years of planning and then being able to give back to society by sharing your experiences.

So …

The plan for the future will now focus on a frantic week to see if I might be able to find the missing money, can’t blame me for trying. Then I guess I will have to lay the south pole to rest and focus my efforts towards the north pole and building up my school outreach work.

There has been a number of very positive developments in both areas. I have had a very exciting meeting with Plymouth University this week, exploring ways in which we maybe able to form a partnership developing resources for schools. It now means I can spend more time during the build up to christmas working on this project. This would also see the set up of a Community Interest Company (CIC) to help support my school work. Watch this space as this unfolds.

The north pole is also attracting a nice amount of corporate interest and I am a lot more confident that this expedition will take place for March next year. This will be a full north pole expedition from Canada, covering 480 miles across the frozen arctic ocean, something only 26 Britons have ever accomplished.

Next summer I also have my return expedition to Baffin Island and continual work documenting how climate change is effecting the Auyuittuq National Park. I have a team of 15 students working with me on this expedition from universities all over he country and will prove to be a very exciting and rewarding expedition.

Although today has been very disappointing, it is a reminder that life doesn’t always go according to plan and that the best things in life do not come easy. Raising the funds is one of the challenges of expeditions and if it was easy, then everyone would be doing it. Instead of feeling down and saying “this is just not ever going to happen”, I simply look back over the past 12 months and can happily say that I have achieved 5 other expeditions and have developed a strong school following and backing. What can I achieve in the next 12 months?

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Sir Winston Churchill