Arctic role for grandad (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Arctic role for grandad

5:27pm Thursday 11th January 2007 in News By Camilla Sutcliffe

A GRANDAD is defying his age and heading to the Arctic on a 250km dog sledding expedition.

George Bradbury, 60, will be one of 13 people travelling through the Finmark region of Arctic Norway to raise cash for research into global warming.

During the week-long trip he will face temperatures down to minus 35 degrees celsius, arduous climbs and one of the loneliest landscapes on earth.

But Mr Bradbury, of Manchester Road, Barnoldswick, said he was looking forward to discovering his potential and taking part in an inspirational adventure, even though he has never done anything like it.

The fundraising trip is organised every year by the Scott Polar Research Institute and Mr Bradbury will be joined by people of all ages as he sleds across the ice pulled by eager huskies.

The party will arrive in Oslo on February 16 but they will start their sledding in Alta, a town 200km inside the Arctic Circle, finishing after six days' hard work at Gargia.

Mr Bradbury, an accounts sales manager at Pennine Telecom, Bury, was inspired to take part after the one of his clients did the race last year and told him he would be perfect for it.

He has been going to the gym four times a week and has given up his beloved golf at Colne in favour of hiking in the Yorkshire Dales to boost his fitness levels.

But the father-of-two and grandfather-of-three is no stranger to the cold thanks to regular skiing trips in France and Canada.

He said: "Apparently it's a really inspirational experience because there's only six hours of sunlight a day in February and the only sound you can hear comes from the huskies.

"It's also a great way to help a cause I believe in. Climate change is a really important subject and we owe it to following generations to combat it. Some people are in denial but it is actually happening and we should do something about it."

Mr Bradbury, who admits to being a less-than-perfect cook, has already agreed to look after and feed the huskies in return for his supper, despite being warned that it is a messy job and the dogs like to fight if they are kept too close together.

He said: They are intelligent dogs and built to cope with the cold but they do like a good fight and you have to be the boss. They will work hard for you but you have to play your part.

"You can't just stand on the sled as you go uphill - you have to get off and push or they will not run for you. I'm really looking forward to working so closely with them."

Anyone who would like to make a donation can contact Mr Bradbury on 07966 320205.

He is also encouraging others to take part in trips organised by the Scott Polar Research Institute. Find out more at www.spri.cam.ac.uk