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North Pole circumnavigation challenge

04 May 2016

Last summer Last Summer Ben and David sailed from Bristol to Svalbard, Norway, on a training exercise to prepare for the challenge ahead

SAILING CHALLENGE: A young explorer is set to undertake a historic fundraising challenge as he attempts to become the youngest person ever to have sailed the North East and North West passages.

Ben Edwards, 14, from Cambridge will join the only British team attempting to circumnavigate the North Pole in one season, led by British explorer David Hempleman-Adams.

He aims to raise £20,000 through this challenge to support innovative research into paediatric gastroenterology taking place at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. He himself suffers from long-term inflammation of the gut.

He said: “I want to prove that despite the fact I am in constant pain, I can still do this. I won’t let it stop me achieving my goal and if I can inspire other young people to think the same way, whatever personal challenges they face, then it will all be worth it.”

The crew will depart from Bristol in mid-June for the four-month challenge, sailing for 24 hours a day and working in pairs to undertake two four-hour watches in every 24-hour period.

They must reach the North East passage before the end of July, when the ice flows will have melted sufficiently to allow access, and then exit via the North West passage before it freezes again, returning back to Bristol in mid-October.

Ben is also using the challenge to promote his role as a Youth Ambassador for Wicked Weather Watch, a charity set-up by David Hempleman-Adams to inform young people about climate change.

To sponsor Ben on his challenge visit www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/supporter/BensPolarChallenge

via Boating Business | North Pole circumnavigation challenge.