Norman
and his team "Arctic Xtreme" will walk over 350 miles
to the True Magnetic North Pole. He is planning and organising
his Arctic Challenge (the name of his new project) expedition
from its conception to its completion.
Thousands
of people have sailed around the World and hundreds have climbed
Everest but only a handful have walked or skied to the True
Magnetic North Pole. The True Magentic North Pole being the actual
position of the Magnetic North Pole at the time of the expedition.
In April
2006, Norman will set off on his epic trek, pulling
a 100kg sled over 350 miles towards the True Magnetic North
Pole.
His
journey is expected to take over 30 days.
He will encounter
bitter winds, with temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees,
will have to be prepared for falling through the ice into freezing
waters and be vigilant against the very real threat of polar
bears.
Norman is
getting professional support with his preparations from his
own expert back up team who provide professional guidance
and access to training courses appropriate to the skills required
to successfully
complete the challenge.
His first-class
back up team includes a dietician and a psychologist who both
work with the British Olympic team; a GP experienced in
sports science & medicine; several experienced Polar explorers
and the national Human Performance Centre at Lilleshall.
TO
CONQUER AND SURVIVE
In
2001, Norman successfully completed an unsupported row across
the Atlantic Ocean, covering 3,143 miles in 82 days. He rowed 2hrs
on, 2hrs off 24hrs a day. During this voyage,
made in his self-built ocean rowing boat “Spirit of Swindon”,
which was only 24 feet long and 7 feet wide, he had to overcome
many hazards and obstacles including near fatal encounters with
freighters and a whale, forked lightning, food poisoning, sleep
deprivation, exhaustion, storms and 40ft waves. His determination,
passion and motivation carried him through. His baby daughter
was born only 2 weeks before he left.
When he decided
to take on the rowing challenge he had no adventure or forces background,
had never rowed a boat and had never been to sea.
Indeed, he was so unfit he could hardly run to the end of his
garden. He changed his drinking and smoking ways and lost 6
stone in weight but, unlike most of us, was not content to
sign up for a gym he would never use.
Prior to commencing his preparations
for his great Arctic Challenge adventure, Norman had never skied
or been further north than Leeds. Taking the same approach as
he
did
to his rowing
project, Norman
continues to demonstrate that with will power, determination and
thorough preparation an ordinary person can succeed in achieving
the extraordinary.
Norman has
what it takes not only to survive in the most desolate place
on Earth
but also to walk over 350 miles to the True Magnetic North Pole.
He has already put himself through very rigorous testing and
training to ensure that he has what it takes and that he will
be prepared. The motto that spurred him to success during his
Atlantic row
was ‘TO
CONQUER & SURVIVE’.
The same motto will inspire him throughout his Arctic Challenge.
THE
COMMUNITY PROJECT
Arctic Challenge,
the official title of Norman’s project,
is a local community project with its own bank account involving
schools and raising money for charity.
Norman
has supported and benefited many good causes Norman
has always been actively involved in community work. In conjunction
with his professional career he has taken on numerous voluntary
roles which include amongst others, residential care worker,
volunteer officer and project leader
with a national conservation group, regular voluntary supervisor
with a social club for people with learning difficulties, school
governor and member of his local crime and disorder committee.
He has been able to extend this community support through his
projects
Organisations
to benefit from Norman's projects include: Mitton Manor Primary School (Gloucester)
Westlea Primary School (Swindon)
NSPCC (Swindon)
The Gateway Club (Aylesbury, Bucks)
The Salvation Army (Davis House, Swindon)
National Asthma Campaign (Swindon branch)
Prospect Hospice (Swindon)
Taurus Foundation (Swindon)
In addition to his rowing and Arctic Challenge projects he has
recently organised and taken part in various fund raising activities
ranging from
various 24
hr endurance events
to bungee
jumping
days
to an Auction of Dreams to parachuting.
Norman's hands on approach reflects his ethos. Norman explains,
"I am a great believer in fairness for all regardless of background,
culture or status and that opportunity should not just be for
the more fortunate, prvilileged or wealthy".
SCHOOLS EDUCATION
PROGRAMME
As Noman did with his rowing project "Arctic
Xtreme" will work closely with and for the benefit of schools.
This will include the production an
educational pack and school visits.
|
