Gaskell embarks on South Pole trek to raise money for cancer care

Kevin Gaskell, President of automotive data firm EurotaxGlass’s, whose adventurous spirit helped raise £80,000 for the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre, is embarking on a record-breaking expedition to reach the South Pole, accompanied by his son, Matt Gaskell.

They will be the first father and son team ever to attempt the 300 kilometre unsupported trek. If successful, 18-year-old Matt will make history by becoming the youngest person to complete the feat.

The pair will depart from the Patriot Hills base camp on the Antarctic ice shelf on December 29, ascending to an elevation of 10,000 feet as they progress towards to the South Pole across blue ice. They hope to reach the Geographic South Pole by the end of January totally unsupported. Throughout their epic journey, they will drag sledges weighing up to 150 pounds in temperatures as cold as minus 70 degrees centigrade while battling relentless winds of over 50 kilometres per hour.

“At 18 Matt will be the youngest person ever to attempt this grueling trek and I am sure that by the end of January I will feel like the oldest!” commented Kevin. “We will be doing all this without any support –– no dogs, skidoos, kites or helicopters –– so it’s going to be extremely tough.”

The daring duo is taking on the challenge to raise £20,000 to fund research staff to identify new and better ways to treat cancer sufferers. Kevin, a former resident of Connahs Quay in North Wales, lost his younger sister Jayne Strong to leukaemia in 2004 and now aims to help other sufferers and their families. In April 2006 he walked unsupported to the geographic North Pole, raising £80,000 in sponsorship money towards the development of the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre at Bodelwyddan.

Kevin added: “We really appreciate all the support we have received in the past but Matt and I are now calling on the public’s generosity once again. Unfortunately, the incidence of cancer does not slow down in a recession and it affects young and old alike. Whilst the rate of recovery is increasing, such improvements are only possible if we continue to invest in new techniques and treatments.”

To support Matt and Kevin, visit justgiving.com/kevingaskell and justgiving.com/mattgaskell

To follow Kevin and Matt’s progress in the South Pole or to find out more information, visit southpole2009.com