Sub Arctic Ski Marathon 2024

Hello again!

I’m going back to the cold, three years after my Arctic adventure, this time in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and in memory of my Aunt.

Carolyn Retallick passed away from MND just 10 months ago, on Christmas Day. It was sudden at the end, I still have her Christmas gift.

We shared our festive greetings, but she didn't have the energy to even look at presents being opened on her behalf.

Unfortunately there is no cure, treatment or relief from Motor Neurone Disease. It is the most sickeningly cruel breaking down of the body's capabilities. Cancer can be beaten, MND cannot. It's a sentence.

So, what am I doing?

Well, in February 2025 I'm going back to the cold, to complete a self supported marathon, on Nordic skis, in 2 day crossing frozen lakes, mountains & valleys, in Northern Sweden, to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

They are the ONLY national charity in Wales, England & Northern Ireland, that funds and promotes global research into the disease and provides support for people affected by MND.

I have an affinity to the cold, I think. I have a respect for it. There's something humbling there. Much like the sea.

Cold environments do not take into consideration who you are, or how you are, or how fit or healthy you are. The cold doesn't give a shit about you. It's a leveller, it'll stop you dead in your tracks and force you to freeze in place. It's much like MND. There are a lot of similarities.

If there's one positive from my Aunt's battle with MND, is that she loved hearing about my travels until the very end, so this one is for her - a little more meaningful this time, than a bucket full of ice water, in the South of France.

Please support by sharing this fundraiser, or the video I made. If you can, I'd love you to donate - the link is in the usual places. If you can't, I'd massively appreciate your support, and I know the team that are heading out there with me would too.

I’ll do my level best to keep updating here with training, thoughts, preparation, the challenge itself - stay tuned.

Much love, stay safe & thank you for reading!