Life in the freezer for chilled foods boss as he prepares for trek to North Pole
Temperatures may be on the rise, but not for Worcestershire businessman Dean Attwell – and not just because he heads a chilled foods logistics company.
Mr Attwell, 50, is CEO of Redditch-based Oakland International but from Monday (April 10) he leaves his desk behind and embarks on the journey of a lifetime – an expedition to the North Pole in a bid to raise £100,000 for charity.
Giving him a send-off, colleagues, friends and family members joined together for a fundraising lunch to support him ahead of his epic trek.
Oakland International employees ‘dressed down’ for the day and took part in a lunch-fundraiser of hearty stew or sausage, mash and Yorkshire puddings and a tasty dessert of crumble and custard along with a whole variety of cupcakes.
All proceeds were donated to Dean’s fundraising pot (details below), which is destined for Cancer Research UK.
Dean, from Redditch, is personally funding the 16-day trip, which will involve eight to 10 hours of walking each day in temperatures that can drop to -45 degrees centigrade, whilst pulling a 50kg sled containing his tent, food and all his supplies for two weeks.
To get into training, Mr Attwell undertook a trip to Minnesota in the United States, spending a week in freezing conditions as he was taught the essential survival skills and preparation necessary to complete the expedition.
He will spend this weekend carrying out final checks to his to his kit and some last-minute shopping.
He said: “I’ve reached my daily training target to build my cardio, overall strength and balance, which has involved over two hours training each day including a couple of marathons each week, so now it’s down to sorting the basics of packing and last minute protein snack buying and purchasing a new camera that will work in the extreme cold.
“I am so grateful to everyone for supporting this lunch fundraiser and for all the donations I’ve already received. My sincere thanks to the whole Oakland International team, our customers, suppliers and our partners, as it will be your support that gets me through.”
Over the past two-years, several people in his life have been touched by, or have succumbed to cancer. His mother-in-law, Ruby Tuffin Delves, died of cancer in October 2015 and he said it was her natural spark and huge enthusiasm for life that was pivotal in his decision to undertake the expedition.
In addition, the disease claimed the life of Oakland International colleague, Stefan Bakalar, Simon Ward, who was instrumental in helping Mr Attwell lose weight and train, and John Brown, an 18-year old former head boy at Bredon School and an inspiration to Mr Attwell’s son.
Mr Attwell said: “Turning 50 this year I decided I’d trek to the North Pole, one of the biggest challenges I have so far undertaken.
“Having lost my mother-in-law to cancer in October 2015 and subsequently seeing the devastating effect that cancer has had on members of my family, friends and colleagues over the last 12 months, I wanted to do something to raise money for a cause which will almost certainly affect each and every one of us, directly or indirectly, at some stage in the future.
“I still have a way to go to reach my £100,000 target, I’m not giving up as every pound will help to ensure Cancer Research UK reach their target of helping three-quarters of people affected by cancer survive the disease by 2034.”
The Polar Explorer team will be doing daily blogs starting April 12.
Those wishing to support his effort can do so by visiting his JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/NorthPoleDean
To follow the daily blog, visit: http://www.polarexplorers.com/polarexplorers-media/blog/expedition-updates/itemlist/category/40-2017-north-pole-expeditions
