CEO aims for pole in Arctic quest
Added on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor | 2 Comments
David Newman with Charley Boorman, supporter of Riders for Health, and Andy Golightly from BASIC.
The boss of Britain’s biggest motorcycle insurance firm is to go to the end of the Earth in order to raise much-needed funds for two charities which are close to his heart!
David Newman, chief executive of Altrincham-based Carole Nash, is to brave temperatures as low as minus 40o when he attempts to trek 110 kilometres across Arctic Ocean ice to reach the North Pole. And he hopes that 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 the Brain And Spinal Injury Centre in Eccles, Salford.
The expedition, which will last two to three weeks, has been dubbed On Top of the World as David 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 David 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.”
David has received enthusiastic backing from actor Charley Boorman who is a big supporter of Riders For Health. He’s also no stranger to adventure having himself undertaken several gruelling challenges, including Long Way Round, a globe-gobbling motorcycle expedition completed with biking pal Ewan McGregor. “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.”
BASIC’s fundraiser Andy Golightly also thanked David for choosing the charity. “Management and staff of Carole Nash have visited the centre a few times to see the work we do in helping rebuild the lives of those who have suffered brain or spinal injuries. Clearly those experiences have had a great personal impact on David and we’re immensely grateful that he’s chosen to support us.”
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 David.
David will begin the On Top of the World challenge on April 4th 2010. For details of how to donate visit http://northpole.carolenash.com.
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2 Comments
Diane Pook
March 23rd, 2010All the best for your expedition David. Will be watching your progress.
alex
March 24th, 2010can i join u biking..Want to experience hows it like escpecially with charley?? any contacts?