Carole Nash boss to walk to North Pole for charity

The boss of Britain’s biggest motorcycle insurance firm is to walk to the North Pole to raise funds for Riders for Health and the Brain and Spinal Injury Centre (BASIC).

David Newman, chief executive of Carole Nash, is to brave temperatures as low as minus 40C when he attempts to trek 70 miles across Arctic Ocean ice to reach the North Pole.

He hopes by following in the snow-booted steps of famous explorers he can support projects planned by Riders For Health – a charity which ensures health workers in Africa have effective transport – and BASIC in Eccles, Salford.

Newman will be walking and skiing from a Russian ice station situated at about 89 degrees North to reach the Pole. He will be joined by just three other adventurers and team leader Rune Gjeldnes, one of the world’s leading Arctic explorers.

“This is a great personal challenge, with many physical and mental obstacles to overcome.

“The risks are not insignificant, with the ice shifting and the possibility of stumbling into open water.” comments Newman who has been involved with logistics and support for several other daring expeditions.

“I’ve trained hard for this, making sure I’m fit for what will be the most physically demanding thing I’ve ever attempted and I will also spend time acclimatising in Svalbard, one of the world’s most northerly islands.”

Newman has received backing from adventurer Charley Boorman who is a big supporter of Riders For Health. He said: “Anyone who says people working in insurance are boring should take a good look at what he’s attempting.

“This is a serious challenge and I’m delighted that David has chosen to support Riders for Health because I’ve seen with my own eyes the absolutely vital work they do.”

Both charities have identified specific projects which funds raised from the On Top of the World expedition could make a real difference to.

Riders for Health has nominated its International Academy of Vehicle Management in Harare, Zimbabwe – a specialist training school which trains health workers in safe riding and driving, vehicle maintenance and fleet management.

BASIC hopes to use monies raised to create a specialist gym fitted out with equipment specifically designed to aid the recovery of people with spinal injuries.

 “I’d love this expedition to raise the tens of thousands required to fund in total both of these projects. It’s a daunting amount, but I’ll give it my very best as they’re both such worthy causes.

“What I can say for certain is that as the actual cost of taking on this challenge has already been found, every single penny raised will go directly to the two charities,” says Newman.

Newman will begin the On Top of the World challenge on April 4th 2010. For details of how to donate visit www.northpole.carolenash.com