Please sponsor my Dad – Arctic Husky Challenge

250k Arctic Husky Challenge to raise money for Meningitis
Daryl takes the lead for Husky 250k Arctic challenge

My Dad (48-year-old Daryl Seeley) is no novice when it comes to dog handling or walking as he runs Harpenden based dog-walking and training company “TakeMyLead” and is also a professional Photographer. Dad decided to use his occupation as the basis for a charity fundraiser and signed up for 2010 Arctic Husky Trek in aid of Meningitis Research Foundation MRF

On 10 – 17th April 2010, Dad will travel to North Norway to spend a week in charge of a sled and team of Huskies ( me and Sophie are soooo jealous that we are not going with him), covering 250km of arctic terrain from the city of Tromso in Norway to the world famous ice hotel in Jukkasjarvi in Lapland. The challenge will push Dad to his limits: he will face severe weather and arctic temperatures down to -30 degrees. He must be self-sufficient for the whole week, carrying everything he needs to survive on his sled. He must also attend to his six strong Husky team, making sure his dogs are fed, watered, happy and healthy.

A life-long dog lover, Dad has defied the credit crunch after having to close his photography studio by making a success of “TakeMyLead”, the dog-walking company with a difference. Based on the premise that us dogs are happiest when interacting with each other in packs, Dad spends all of his time ‘pack walking’ with us and our new dog mates (his clients) in the Harpenden/St Albans area of Hertfordshire. When he saw the Husky challenge and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take his canine experience to the next level. He’s invested in Nordic ‘Skiks’ (land skis to you or I) to practice his technique and is training hard for the trek with us running along side to keep up the speed.

Dad is trekking to support national charity Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF). As a father and grandfather he realises the importance of supporting a charity which works to eradicate these devastating diseases.

MRF works around the country to fight death and disability from meningitis and septicaemia – the blood poisoning form of the disease. There are nine cases of meningitis in the UK every week resulting in six deaths and leaving survivors with after-effects which can be as severe as brain damage, deafness and amputations. MRF is fighting back – half their expenditure is on scientific research and in their 20 years as a charity they’ve spent almost £16million on research into prevention, detection and treatment of the diseases. MRF also raises awareness of the symptoms of meningitis through a freephone helpline, website and free symptoms awareness literature, and provides support for those affected by the diseases through a telephone befriending programme.

Dad will be blogging on his experiences at www.takemylead.biz where if you’d like to support him you can find a link to his online fundraising page at http://www.justgiving.com/TakeMyLead. MRF has a few places left on the Husky Trek. If you fancy taking up the challenge of a lifetime whilst supporting a worthy cause, visit www.meningitis.org

•    Meningitis Research Foundation is currently funding 24 research projects into the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia. The Foundation has spent £15.6 million on research since its inception in 1989.
•    Meningitis Research Foundation operates a Freefone 24 hour helpline – 080 8800 3344 – providing information on meningitis and septicaemia to the general public and health professionals.
•    Information on meningitis and septicaemia is also available on the Foundation’s world-renowned website – www.meningitis.org – in 22 languages. An interpretation service in 150 languages is available through the 24-hour helpline.
•    The Foundation offers support for those affected by meningitis and septicaemia. Trained helpline staff are available 365 days a year. A befriender service links people with experience of meningitis and septicaemia to share their experiences.