A POLAR enthusiast from Barley is looking to raise money to fund an expedition to the Norwegian Arctic circle. Grattan MacGiffin will be taking part in the 200km trek with a team from the Cambridge-based Friends of the Scott Polar Research Institute. The

A POLAR enthusiast from Barley is looking to raise money to fund an expedition to the Norwegian Arctic circle.

Grattan MacGiffin will be taking part in the 200km trek with a team from the Cambridge-based Friends of the Scott Polar Research Institute.

The team are looking to raise funds for the FSPRI, an organisation which supports British polar science and its heritage.

Grattan said: "The money raised from the challenge will go towards researching the effects of climate change in polar environments, and support important scientific programmes in both polar regions."

Joining Grattan and the team on the gruelling seven-day trek will be an expedition doctor, leader, and local guide, and more than 40 Alaskan huskies.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to being involved and working with the team of dogs. I have always wanted to visit the Arctic, and sledge with huskies.

"I'm also very interested in climate change, so this is a fantastic opportunity for me. It will also be good to support the FSPRI and their work."

Grattan, 35, has joined the expedition party late and is aiming to raise £3,250 before the trek gets underway in March.

He said: "I've been working on improving my fitness with regular trips to my gym in Melbourn. The hardest thing to simulate will be the extreme temperatures."

The team has been told to expect temperatures of between -20 to -35C, with 14 hours of sunlight per day.

Grattan, who is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society added: "I'm expecting it to be an arduous challenge, and the weather should be interesting.

"During the trek we are not only responsible for each other, but the dogs as well. In fact, the dogs come first, so we will make sure they are fed and rested properly - after all, we are relying on them to get us back."

Grattan also said he was hoping to learn more about the area's changing climate.

He said: "The trek will be of great interest. I hope to learn first hand about the local environment, its changes and relevance.

"Additionally, on all good tests you also end up learning more about yourself.

"I am an advocate of people experiencing any such challenge, believing we all have a great deal of untapped strength, resourcefulness, determination, wit and inner belief with which to confront and succeed in new challenges."

- The trek is set to start on Sunday March 11.

Anyone who would like to support the challenge should contact Grattan on gratts@googlemail.com