Record breaking explorer tackles toughest challenge yet

Oct. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Intrepid adventurer uses solo polar expedition to spur action against climate change

London, 18 October 2011- How far would you go to demonstrate your commitment to combatting climate change? To the ends of the earth? Coventry-based polar explorer and adventurer Mark Wood is doing just that.

Mark Wood is used to conquering extreme challenges. From 2007’s Top Gear expedition to the Magnetic North Pole to a 70 day ‘Arctic survival’ expedition, he has seen more than most. But next month Mark sets off for his toughest challenge to date.

Mark is attempting to become the first person in history to solo ski both the South and North Geographic Poles consecutively. Classed by Sir Ranulph Fiennes as “the toughest journey on the planet”, the expedition is highly ambitious, but for Mark it’s not the hardest part.

“All my life I’ve wanted to walk in the footsteps of the great explorers” explained Mark. "But thanks to man’s destruction of the planet, the paths they mapped no longer exist. The effects of climate change have left a very different landscape.”

Mark is using his challenge to engage people with the effects of climate change. He has set up an educational schools programme, where students can track his progress and speak to him at key milestones on his journey.

Using a unique sponsorship platform, The DoNation (http://thedonation.org.uk), Mark is asking people for support, not in cash but action. Anyone can pledge an action, ranging from eating less meat to installing solar panels. The carbon saved from each individual’s actions will be added together to reach Mark’s target of 100,000kg of carbon dioxide.

Mark said: “110 days is a long time to spend alone with only the ice caps for company. Knowing that I’ll be supported by thousands of individuals pledging to make a difference is fantastic. Combatting climate change is the greatest challenge of our generation, and only by acting together can we hope to succeed.”

To find out how you can support Mark, visit:
http://thedonation.org.uk/doers/mark-wood/north-south-sol....
 
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Notes to editors

For media enquiries, interviews, quotes or further imagery please contact:
Suzannah Greenwood
suzannah.greenwood@life-size-media.com
+44 (0)207 7287 7080

For the chance to meet Mark as he prepares for this extraordinary journey get in touch with Suzannah. She will be co-ordinating media interviews prior to Mark’s departure on 9 November.

Mark Wood
Mark Wood is an explorer, educator and speaker. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and Liverpool Wilderness Medicine Society, and ambassador to his home town of Coventry and to the Prince’s Trust.

To find out more visit: www.markwoodexplorer.com


The DoNation
The DoNation is an online platform offering a unique form of sponsorship – change. Not the change you find in your pocket, but small lifestyle changes that you can make towards a brighter, greener, healthier nation.

It’s all about making sustainable living fun, social, and mainstream and simply invites people to donate by doing.

Find out more here: www.thedonation.org.uk

Twitter: @The_DoNation
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thedonation
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/59859387@N05/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/TheDoNati0n?feature=mhee

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Life Size Media is a creative campaigns agency, dedicated to promoting sustainable innovators. We offer our clients the complete spectrum of communications services from film, website and print projects through to sustained public relations campaigns.