The Campaign

On the 5th February 2022,  I will commence an unsupported 1,000 mile fundraising campaign, pulling my own supplies and unsupported in some of the harshest terrain known to man, to raise funds for an amazing charity close to my heart, Focus4Hope.

The History of the Yukon Quest

At the top of the world in the Yukon and Alaska wilderness of northwestern North America, the Yukon Quest 1,000 Mile International Sled Dog Race, an epic winter sports event takes place every year on the first Saturday of February. Covering 1,000 miles (1,600 km) between Whitehorse, Yukon and Fairbanks Alaska, during the depths of winter.

In 2022, it starts from Fairbanks Alaska and finishes in Whitehorse Yukon.

This incredible winter event takes place every February when weather conditions can be the coldest and most unpredictable. The Yukon Quest race starts on schedule regardless of weather and lasts from 10 to 16 days until the final dog team arrives at the finish line.  The Yukon Quest has been run every year since 1984 over rough, sometimes hazardous terrain.

I will walk pulling my own supplies and equipment unsupported. A trust test of how we can set our minds to achieve anything we desire. That said, let’s take a moment and consider - For some, their desire achieve may just be being able to afford to buy food for themselves and their children, find enough money to escape domestic violence and find shelter against the odds.

 

The Yukon Quest Trail follows the historical Gold Rush and mail delivery dog sled routes from the turn of the 20th Century. Once the transportation “highways” of the Northern frontier, the Yukon Quest Trail now comes alive each February with the frosty breath and haunting howls of hundreds of sled dogs. Up to 50 dog teams consisting of one human 'musher' and 14 canine athletes tread across some of the last pristine wilderness remaining in North America.

Why I Have Chosen Focus4Hope

Focus4Hope is a charity that provides support for the elderly, homeless, isolated, and otherwise vulnerable in West Yorkshire, including women escaping from violence. The group, which began as a community-based nonprofit, started by friends, was founded in 2016 and is now a respected pillar of the charitable community.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

The Statistics of Domestic Abuse

The figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show there were 71,387 domestic abuse-related incidents reported to West Yorkshire Police in 2018/19. 

That equates to a stunning one every 7.4 minutes. 

I honestly can’t imagine how vulnerable the victims must feel.

Please watch the poem and video I created on my fundraising page https://walkingwithmybear.com/fundraising/

Falling on hard times

Something else close to my heart, is the work they do to bring resources to those who need them most by hosting outreach events in the West Yorkshire area on a regular basis. During fortnightly events in Leeds, they feed up to 100 homeless individuals and provide parcels full of essential hygiene items and food.

Focus4Hope regularly put-on events to foster connection and community between people they work with in vulnerable areas. Focus4Hope’s events are aimed at not only providing much-needed physical resources, but a source of connection to fight loneliness and isolation, which is an issue close to their hearts.

A central player in the creation of the Leeds Homelessness Charter, solidifying a unified mission for a group of homelessness organisations in the greater West Yorkshire area. This resulted in a more organised effort to combat homelessness, whilst bolstering cooperation and coordination between many non-profit, faith, public and private sector organisations with similar goals.

The organisation now desperately needs funds to pay for a support worker who can work with the people they help. The cost of a support worker for one year is £10,400, which I hope to raise.

The Enormity of the Challenge!

Having already raised £1,989 of the £10,400 target required in April 2021 walking and cycling 1,053 miles unsupported non stop in the Derbyshire Peak District, and remained outside until completed, 1,000 Below Zero will certainly be a test against the harsh environment. More people have summitted Everest, been to the South and North Pole, than have completed this epic journey unsupported on foot.

So to help support Focus4Hope, I will walk pulling my own supplies across frozen Rivers, Lakes, Wilderness and Mountains, remaining outdoors unsupported pulling my pulk to complete the epic Yukon Quest 1,000 mile route with the hope to raise much needed funds to achieve the target of £10,400.

All my own costs for travelling, accommodation, food and supplies will be paid by myself. Ensuring all funds raised go direct to Focu4Hope

We need your support

If I receive total sponsorship of £10 per mile, we can reach our goal and fund the much needed support worker for Focus4Hope.

If you want to show your support in other ways, please visit www.walkingwithmybear.com/shop who will also be donating part of Walking With My Bear merchandise profits to Focus4Hope. We have some fab merchandise for sale.

Donating through Justgiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.