Derriford's Arctic trio to hold charity event ahead of trek

Three military junior doctors from Derriford Hospital, who are preparing for a 150km race in the Arctic next month, are hosting a fundraising event next week ahead of their gruelling challenge.

Next month, representing all three of the armed services, Flight Lieutenant Michael Thompson, Surgeon Lieutenant Alex Bamford and Captain George Graham, will face a challenge of a lifetime when they take part in the Arctic Winter Race, Rovaniemi 150.

The trio will travel to Lapland to take part in the challenge, which takes place between 14-16 February 2014. The challenge will see the trio run/trek across 150km of Northern Finland, pulling all of their necessary kit in a traditional pulka, in aid of a leading UK charity specialising in the care of veterans’ mental health, Combat Stress.

Temperatures are forecast to be anywhere between -20C and -30C.

On Tuesday 28 January, the three doctors will host a pre-race fundraising event, which will includes talks from Mark Hannaford FRGS FRCA about surviving in cold weather environments and Mike Roe, Regional Welfare Officer for the South West, who will give a presentation on the charity Combat Stress. Delegates will also have the opportunity to hear a personal account from Daniel Claircoates, one of the youngest servicemen to be awarded the Military Cross.

Flight Lieutenant Michael Thompson, said: “We are holding the event next week to give people the opportunity to hear about the conditions we might face during the race and to also learn more about our chosen charity, Combat Stress. We are really pleased to have some great speakers joining us and the evening promises to be extremely interesting, informative and entertaining.

The event will take place on Tuesday 28 January 6.30pm in the Post Graduate Medical Centre, behind Derriford Hospital. Guests are encouraged to ‘turn up at the door’ (no ticket required). Refreshments will be provided.

If you are interested in supporting the trio, donations can be made via their justgiving page: www.justgiving.com/TEAMS/ARCTIC-ULTRA