Hello. My name is John Ward, I am the 50 year old Managing Director of Awareness Software Ltd. I am undertaking this journey as part of my ongoing midlife crisis and to support my inspirational younger brother Robert, whose story you can read here: Robert Ward is fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity (justgiving.com) Oh, and to raise much needed funds for the Brain Tumour Charity.

I am dad to 2 boys (well men now!) Charlie and Joe and  married to Natalie who have all raised their eyebrows at my suitability to undertake this task, as it is not something I have ever done before, and I have a fairly sedentary desk based job!

I am endeavoring to increase my fitness with lots of walking and gym sessions including dragging sledges up and down beaches. But I am acutely aware there will be some mental toughness required to overcome the -30 degree Celsius temperatures whilst trying to put up a tent and cook some food, after a day of pulling a sledge across the ice, then finally trying to sleep in some very demanding conditions whilst avoiding the wild Polar Bears!

Whilst I have received many encouraging comments along the lines of "you must be mad" and "there must be something a bit easier you could do?" What I could really do with is you sponsoring me and hopefully you can find some kind words of encouragement that I can recall when I am pulling my sledge in the freezing cold.

Thanks in advance

John