A FATHER-OF-FOUR is to take on the challenge of a lifetime by trekking to one of the coldest and most remote parts of the world for charity.

Mark Dunn, 46, from Scorton, near Richmond, is to join a team attempting to reach the Pole of Northern Inaccessibility, the point farthest from land in all directions in the Arctic circle.

Mr Dunn, a prison officer at HM YOI Northallerton, has been in training for the challenge for more than a year and will set off with the team in February next year. He will spend 20 days on the ice, with the team using an adapted sledge that can also double as a canoe to allow them to cover large expanses of open water.

Mr Dunn said: “I’ve always wanted to go to the Arctic. I’ve done a bit of hill walking and snow trekking, but never anything like this.

“I had to go through a selection process to make sure I was fit enough and have been training for months.”

Training has been taking place regularly in Norway and will finish in Svalbard, a remote island in the Arctic Sea, so the team can experience the freezing conditions they will face during the challenge.

“With wind chill, we can expect the temperatures to reach minus 50 degrees,” said Mr Dunn.

“As well as going for an adventure, we will also be carrying out some scientific experiments, taking samples of the ice and carrying out environmental tests.”

Mr Dunn is looking for sponsors to support his challenge and help with the costs of flying to Canada, where the challenge starts, and with equipment.

He also aims to raise money for Help for Heroes, the servicemen’s charity.

&#8226 To support or sponsor Mr Dunn, contact him on 01748-818990 or email mjeohdunn@talktalk.net