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Julie's Corner
MPs Trek to the Arctic for Charity
LONDON, July 24/PRNewswire/ --
- The Westminster Challenge Launches to Involve Politicians in
Charitable Work
An intrepid cross-party group of Members of Parliament is about to
embark on a challenge of a lifetime by husky dog sled. Far from the
comfort of Westminster, they will travel 400km across the Arctic to
raise cash for charity.
Nick Clegg (LD), Tobias Ellwood (Con), Emily Thornberry (Lab), Ed
Vaizey (Con), and Jenny Willott (LD) will be trekking through
Finland, Sweden and Norway to raise funds for Crimestoppers, Cancer
Research UK, The Children's Society and a local charity.
Taking place next February, The Westminster Arctic Challenge is the
first expedition of a new cross-party organisation which launches
today (July 24). Established as a link between the political and
charitable worlds, 'The Westminster Challenge', aims to engage
politicians directly in the work of UK charities. It plans to run
fundraising challenges such as this every two years.
Those taking up the challenge will endure temperatures reaching
minus 40 degrees, will feed, clean and care for their husky dogs,
build igloos and catch fish to survive.
Nick Clegg, MP for Sheffield, Hallam, representing the MP team,
said: "This is a fantastic opportunity and we are very excited about
the trek. It will be gruelling and our fitness will be put to the
test, but it's worth every aching muscle and chilblain to help good
causes. We will be spending time with the charities before the
expedition to gain a better understanding of their work."
Richard Stephenson, Founder of The Westminster Challenge, said, "We
have received support from senior politicians and the corporate
world to date. We want to bring politics and charities together.
Engaging MPs in charitable work, and encouraging them to raise funds
will benefit and complement the fantastic work charities do."
There will be two treks for the challenge. Team one, which includes
the MPs, leaves from Finland during the February Parliamentary
recess. The second team meets them at the Tri-nations Border before
beginning the trek in reverse. Senior representatives from the
charities will also be taking part in the challenge.
To sponsor the team visit www.justgiving.com/westminsterchallenge.2007.
To donate GBP3 instantly text 'ice' to 84858.
Source: Westminster Challenge
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