Send South, S'il vous plait

Dear friends, family, colleagues, supporters,

I want to thank you for all your support these past few months in helping to raise $5000 for Fauna & Flora International. Some of you sponsored my 200km Cycle-a-Thon, bought our homemade cakes, pub quizzed, or just gave. This fundraising was to enable me to participate in the Shackleton Epic Expedition in the Antarctic. However, I must inform you that:

Extreme ice conditions in Antarctica have prompted Tim Jarvis, expedition leader of Shackleton Epic, to adjust logistics to avoid the same fate as the expedition's namesake. Shackleton and his 27 men were stranded in the Antarctic for almost two years in 1914-1916 when their ship was crushed.

"We're continuing to prepare to re-enact Shackleton's boat journey from Elephant Island and make the crossing of South Georgia but we're not keen to re-enact the ship getting caught in the ice," Jarvis added.

To this end, I will not be participating as previously expected aboard the TS Pelican, but I do hope to visit Antarctica in an alternative trip we are currently investigating. As the initial plans have been significantly altered, I would like to offer you a refund of any donations you have sent to Fauna & Flora International on my behalf. Please note that FFI continue to sponsor the expedition which Tim will undertake in the replica James Caird, and your donations will still be going to a charitable cause. If you would like a refund however, please email me at [email redacted] and I will arrange for it immediately.

Thanks again to everyone for your kind and generous support.

Regards,

Ashley