Our Sales Team Manager, Chris is taking on a new challenge this year. He will be raising money for a charity close to his heart - DEBRA. In February, he will be taking part in a survival trek in the arctic. If you would like to donate to this challenge, you can do so via his Just Giving page. 

"I have been supporting DEBRA since my good friend's Pete & Kate had their daughter Poppy.  

Poppy is now 8 years old and in all her life she has never experienced a single day without excruciating pain. She suffers with the rare genetic skin condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), also known as Butterfly Syndrome. This is where the skin is as fragile as a butterfly's wing and the slightest knock or bump can result in the skin either blistering or tearing away.

Life with EB is extremely difficult for Poppy. She doesn’t get the chance to be a typical 8 year old like all of her friends. She has had to accept from a very early age that she is unable to do most of the physical things that her peers do. 

Poppy’s day is dominated by 3 hours of painful dressing changes. She is bandaged from the neck down to not only protect her skin but keep her open wounds clean. People with EB are extremely susceptible to infection.

Despite all of this Poppy is one of the happiest, bravest and kind hearted little girls you will ever meet.  The strength she shows, with the unbelievable support of her mum, dad and family is truly inspiring. 

DEBRA is the national charity supporting those directly affected by, and working with, Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) – a potentially fatal skin condition that causes constant pain due to unstoppable internal and external blistering. DEBRA provides lifelong care and support to the entire EB community.Together we #FightEB and together we will beat EB."

The challenge will be taking place from 9th - 16th February. Chris, and his team mates will fly out to Ostersund in North Sweden, then travel out to a log cabin where he, and his team will stay the first couple of nights, about 100km south of the arctic circle. For the first 2 days they will build an outdoor shelter and start on the snow hole. Once the shelter is finished they will sleep outside under the shelter and once the ice hole is finished they will sleep there for the last 2 nights. For the outdoor survival phase they will survive on ration packs and will need to collect/melt snow for drinking water. The temperatures are expected to be around -20.

Temperatures of -20?! Rather you, than us Chris!

To donate, please visit Chris' Just Giving page. All donations are very much appreciated.