A REDDITCH business on a charity trek in the Arctic reached the North Pole just as news of his company’s double Queen’s award for industry was released.
Dean Attwell, chief executive and co-founder of Beoley-based Oakland International, said he was exhausted but elated, thanking everyone for their support, good wishes and generous donations during his North Pole trek in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Walking for up to 10 hours a day in freezing conditions, Dean and the Super Combined Team reached the North Pole on the evening of Thursday (April 20) after displaying amazing determination not to be deterred by the massive open water which they encountered, just two miles short of the North Pole, and with no visible way around it.
“We had been skiing for upwards of 15 hours already so we camped for a few while to get some rest, eat and then on for our last push of the day and another 10 hours of skiing, which paid off after we found a way around there we were, all exhausted but finally at our goal, standing at the North Pole; this has had to be the most strenuous thing I’ve done.
“I am immensely grateful to everyone for supporting me and for their generosity and pledges of support, and very proud to have the news of our double Queen’s Award for Enterprise break as we prepared to return home.
“My sincere thanks to the Polar Explorers Expedition team and to our guides who kept us going right up to the last minute when things got tough; it’s been a tremendous privilege and one experience I will never forget.”
To support Dean and Cancer Research UK visit his JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/NorthPoleDean or you can send a cheque made payable to: Cancer Research UK c/o Jane Thompson, Oakland International, Seafield Lane, Beoley, Redditch B98 9DB.
