Racing to the end of the Earth for The AMBER Trust

In December, 2008, I will be taking part in a race to the South Pole, which will involve skiing 370 nautical miles across the Antarctic Plateau. Pulling a 200 lb sled for up to 45 days, I will climb to 9,300 feet in temperatures as low as –50º. And, despite consuming up to 6000 calories a day, I expect to lose up to 15% of my body weight. Having already raced for 12 days to the North Pole, I am under no illusions about the immense challenges I will face throughout my journey, but this time it will be much more difficult.

I am thrilled that children who are supported by The AMBER Trust – a charity that helps blind and partially blind children access and enjoy music – are going to choose their favourite pieces of music ('I Can See for Miles', 'Don't Stop, Never Give Up' and 'For Once in My Life', to name just a few) for me to listen to as I trudge across the snow. It makes me really proud to know that 16-year-old Lloyd Coleman, who has both visual and hearing impairments, is composing a special piece of music for me, which will be recorded by the New London Chamber Ensemble Wind Quintet, before I leave.

I love music and I know how important it is to many blind children, just as it was to me during my race to the North Pole. Without music, I don't know what I would have done. It uplifts and takes you to other places, and for a while you forget the grind of putting one foot in front of the other when every bit of you is saying 'stop'.

Despite racing in teams of three, it can be a lonely experience for much of the time. Your team-mates ahead of or behind you, hoods up against the wind, heads down, having their own battles with ski's, bindings, fatigue, boredom. There isn't much conversation, so you have only your thoughts and music to keep you company. There were many times when I said to myself, 'Never, ever forget what this feels like. Never again'. But, you forget how painful it was to ski 25 miles in a white-out, thinking you would go crazy if you didn't go to sleep, and you remember the first hot chocolate in your tent, the cookers on, food, rest, warmth, mates and the achingly beautiful scenery. If I'm making it sound hard, that's how I found it. I'm not looking for sympathy, but trying to explain how music is part of what makes it doable.

Having a connection with The AMBER Trust's children and their music, and knowing that the money I raise will go towards helping to make their world a happier place to live in, inspires me and gives me a real reason to push myself and my body to the limit.

I hope you will sponsor me online to support The AMBER Trust (www.ambertrust.org) – it really is a wonderfully worthwhile charity. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me – The AMBER Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

If you would like to follow the race, visit www.thesouthpolerace.com. I'll keep you updated on the training.

February 26th, 2008 – quick update. I had a great week in Norway, training for the race, and and am now part of a British all-girl team – me, Hannah Shields and Felicity Aston. They are both seasoned Polar travellers, and I couldn't think of two people I'd rather have pull me out of a crevasse! My next training session, crevasse rescue, is in Austria in July.

Thank you for your support,

Rachel