Arctic challenge puts rugby on top of the world
Former Falcons Ollie Phillips and Tim Stimpson will be among a team of 14 looking to break a world record in April and play a game of rugby on the northern most part of the world.
To get there, they will first trek 100 miles to the magnetic North Pole, facing up to the challenge of bitter winds, open water and possibly even the very real danger of polar bears.
As a result of their efforts, the group will raise £300,000 for Wooden Spoon, allowing the children’s charity of rugby to continue in its work of helping disadvantaged children and young people through the power of the sport.
Speaking after signing up to the challenge, Ollie Phillips said: “This is going to be a really serious challenge. Not only am I going to be playing rugby at the top of the world in temperatures hovering around minus 40 degrees Centigrade, but I am trekking there across the Arctic ice, sleeping in a flimsy tent and spending most of my energy staying warm.”
“Getting to the Pole will need team work. Most of us know from our love of rugby how important that is for success. So at least we have something to draw on if the going gets tough.”
Wooden Spoon Ambassador Phil Vickery said: “We’ve never tried anything like this at Wooden Spoon before and we’re really hoping the public will make it a success. We want to capture the imagination and encourage them to get behind the Arctic challengers.”
To keep up to date with the latest news from the challenge visit www.arcticrugbychallenge.org or follow @wsarcticrugby on Twitter.
To support the challengers text ARCT01 £2, £5 or £10 to 70070.
