17 April 2009
Adventurous duo leave on 350 mile subzero expedition
TWO Cable & Wireless engineers are departing on a 350 mile
unsupported trek across the mammoth Greenland ice sheet tomorrow
(Saturday 18 April).
The pair, who are sponsored by Sure and
Guernsey Gas, will be struggling against extreme temperatures as
low as minus 40 degrees Celsius. While out on the ice, they will
conduct science experiments for Bailiwick schoolchildren and send
data back via satellite telephone.
Expedition spokesman, Simon Elmont, said that
they are undertaking the trip for three main reasons.
“We want islanders in the Bailiwick to realise
the real implications of sea level rise caused by the melting of
the ice sheet and we particularly want to engage with young people
on this issue,” he said.
“We are also raising money for the Motor
Neurone Disease Association here in the Bailiwick. The third reason
we are going is for fun. Both Steve and I have been on endurance
trips such as this before and we both thoroughly enjoy putting
ourselves to the test.”
Chris Bligh, secretary of the Guernsey branch
of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, said that the committee
is very grateful for Mr Elmont’s and Mr Wright’s efforts for the
charity.
“They have helped to raise the profile of Motor
Neurone Disease within the Bailiwick, whilst at the same time
raising lots of money, and for that we would like to thank them. We
wish them good luck on this mammoth expedition and look forward to
seeing them on their return. We will follow their progress on the
website with great interest,” she said.
They will each be pulling a 1.7m 100kg sled on
their journey which will see them travel from East to West across
Greenland, the largest island in the world.
They expect to cover around 10 miles a day at
the beginning of the expedition, increasing to 20 a day towards the
end as conditions become more favourable, and equipment gets
lighter.
Justin Bellinger, Guernsey commercial director
for Sure, said that he greatly respects what the pair are
doing.
“Climate change and sea level rise is an
important issue particularly for islanders. Sure operates in
Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man and Bermuda and therefore we felt
it to be particularly pertinent for us to support their message.
Good luck to them on their expedition,” he said.
Dave Bird, Marketing Manager and Director at
Guernsey Gas, said that the expedition will highlight some
important issues:
“We are facing some tough choices in terms of
how we source our energy in future. Carbon emission levels will
have a direct impact on all our lives, so we are very pleased to
support Simon and Steve in communicating that message to students
across the Bailiwick. We wish them the very best of luck on the
ice.”
Islanders can donate money to the Guernsey
branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association online at
www.justgiving.com/greenland09. The duo have already raised more
than £800 towards their £3,000 target.