Two City workers are gearing up to embark on a competitive 400-mile race to the North Pole in order to raise vital funds for Orchid, a male cancer charity dedicated to fighting prostate and testicular cancer.
Jonny Black (left in picture), a broker at interdealer brokerage Icap, and Chris Mike, a specialised head-hunter in the financial services community, have formed Team Bearing 360 North to compete in the race, which takes around four weeks to complete.
Competitors in The Sony Polar Challenge, which commences in April 2007 in Canada, and ends in May 2007 at the North Pole, will have to endure temperatures of up to minus 50°C, as well as face 80% of the world's polar bear population.
All funds raised will go to male cancer charity Orchid. Commenting on the choice of charity, Black says: "There is a taboo around male cancers. Us chaps don't like thinking about problems with our bits, let alone talking about them. Having had a family experience with these diseases, I am determined to complete this challenge to, not only raise money for Orchid, but to also beat the stigma on the subject."
"As male cancers are particularly life-threatening to the under-50s, it is really important for us to help raise awareness and get rid of the embarrassment," adds Black.
Mike says the team is "essentially freezing our nuts off to save yours, your families, your friends".
"Four weeks racing on skis to the North Pole is not many people's idea of fun, and for us, exposing ourselves to the harsh arctic elements, is the most challenging way we have found to push ourselves to help Orchid," he adds.
You can donate to the charity here:Team Bearing360North