| Subject |
Tobias
Ellwood MP will join a cross-party group of MPs on an expedition
across the Arctic Circle to raise funds for local and national
charities
|
| Ref |
PR/06-149 |
| Date |
Monday
24th July 2006 |
Bournemouth
East MP Tobias Ellwood has joined the first ever 'Westminster Challenge'
team of politicians about to embark on the challenge of a lifetime.
Far from the comfort of the Palace of Westminster, our local MP
will travel 400 kilometres across the Arctic Circle powered only
by a team of husky dogs to raise funds for local and national charities.
Tobias will
be joining other intrepid MPs on the expedition, which takes them
through Finland, Sweden and Norway to the Tri-nations Border north
of the Arctic Circle, to raise much-needed funds for a local Bournemouth
charity. Money raised will also go to support the work of three
national UK charities - Crimestoppers, Cancer Research UK and The
Children's Society.
The Arctic Challenge
will take place next February and is the first expedition of a new
cross-Party organisation called The "Westminster Challenge".
Established by a group of young professionals from across the political
divide, it aims to engage politicians directly in the work of charities
in the UK.
Tobias will
be joined by fellow MPs Nick Clegg (LD), Emily Thornberry (Lab)
Ed Vaizey (Con) and Jenny Willott (LD) who will endure temperatures
reaching as low as minus 40 degrees. They will be expected to feed,
clean and care for their team of husky dogs, build igloos and ice
huts in which to sleep and catch their own fish to survive.
Tobias said:
"I'm looking
forward to the expedition which will be a fantastic opportunity
to see first hand the effects of climate change. We are going to
an area very close to ground zero for global warming, where melting
of the polar ice caps, glaciers, and permafrost prove the impact
climate change is having. Temperatures have risen by 2 degrees centigrade
in the last 30 years. It's essential for politicians to fully understand
the importance of green issues and make sure they are central to
everything we do.
I've already
started training, I am swimming in the Bournemouth pier to pier
swim this weekend. Hopefully both events will raise money for some
good causes, nationally and locally."
Richard Stephenson,
Founder of The Westminster Challenge, said:
"We are
delighted to have received a great deal of support from senior members
of both Houses of Parliament and the corporate world to date. The
idea behind The Westminster Challenge is to bring politics and charities
together. Engaging MPs in charitable work, and encouraging them
to get out there and raise funds, is something that will benefit
and complement the fantastic work charities already do. We are very
excited to be launching our first expedition, which will do just
that. "
There will be
two treks for The Westminster Arctic Challenge. Team one, which
includes the MPs, sets out from Levi, Finland during the Parliamentary
recess in February 2007 at the Tri-nations Boarder. Senior representatives
from each of the three main charities will also be taking part in
the challenge, including Mick Laurie, CEO of Crimestoppers, Martin
Field, Director of Fundraising at The Children's Society and Cancer
Research UK Senior Ambassador, Dr Stephen Cushing.
To get involved
or sponsor anyone taking part in the challenge, log on to www.justgiving.com/westminsterchallenge2007
or to donate £3 via your mobile phone text 'ice' to 84858.
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