This Friday, 15th June, two friends will be embarking on an historic challenge, travelling from London to the Arctic using manpower alone.

In a global first, property professional, Robert McArthur from Chew Magna, and Digital Project Manager, Leopold van Lynden from Otter Ferry, Argyll & Bute, will take part in the three-month charity expedition that requires them to run, swim, cycle and row, crossing seven European borders, and covering 5,000 km of land and sea.

This June, the pair will run from Marble Arch to Dover, covering a distance equivalent of more than three marathons in three days. On reaching Dover, they will enter the cold waters of the English Channel and spend twelve to sixteen hours non-stop swimming to France.

From northern France, the two-man team will cycle to Tromsø in northern Norway, travelling more than 3,500 kilometres across France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. In the final

gruelling stage, they will row round the clock through treacherous Arctic waters to cover the 950 km to the island of Svalbard, located deep in the Arctic Circle. They will take four weeks to complete this final phase of the

challenge.

The team will be fundraising for The Scout Association, the UK’s biggest co-educational youth organisation. The Scout Movement helps young people develop skills for life by offering six to 25-year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure, and the chance to help others so that they make a positive impact in communities. Arch2Arctic hopes to raise over £100,000. The funds raised will give young people from challenging communities the opportunities to develop skills to help them get the most out of life.

Jack Petchey Foundation, the charity arm of the company that Robert works for, has heavily supported them. Sir Jack Petchey, founder of the Foundation, was a Scout, and has invested over £100m, encouraging young people to believe “If you think you can, you can.” They have also secured sponsorship from Musto, Fourth Cape, and Kilchoman.

The expedition team has commenced an extreme training plan. Speaking about this challenge, double Olympic rowing gold medalist, Helen Glover, said: “Rob and Poldy are undertaking an incredible challenge in aid of a brilliant cause – raising money for The Scout Association, providing nearly half a million young people with the skills they need to succeed in life. As a rower and Scout myself, I could not wish them more luck. Go for it guys, and thank you on behalf of the whole movement.”

Before setting off on their challenge, both Robert and Leopold say: “The Scout Movement helps young people develop the key skills they need to tackle life head on and win. We will need to demonstrate grit, determination, teamwork and a real sense of humour if we are to succeed in our challenge. We want all young people to have access to opportunities and to develop skills for life. We set up this challenge to test ourselves personally and raise £100,000 to support young people from some of the most deprived parts of the UK. We hope that in doing so we will inspire the next generation.”

To find out about the expedition please visit: www.arch2arctic.com. Donate now at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/arch2arctic. Follow the training and the Arch2Arctic challenge on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.