A 35-year-old man is braving the Arctic on January 13 to embark on an epic dog-sledding challenge after his 5-year-old niece developed a rare lung disease.
Alan Wilson, who lives in London, is raising money for the British Lung Foundation because his niece Annabel has Bronchiolitis Obliterans, which is exceptionally rare in young children.
Annabel has had problems since she was six months old. “Her current treatment is very much a shot in the dark, and the long-term prognosis is pure speculation,” says Alan. “It’s been a horrendous time for all the family, but I am trying to do something positive by raising money which can pay for research.”
Alan will dog sled for a week from his base camp into the wilds of the Norwegian Lapland in temperatures that will regularly drop below -30 degrees Celsius.
“I’m feeling very excited about the challenge, although when people say it’s cold here in England at the moment the extent of what I’m trying to do dawns on me,” says Alan.
“This experience has also changed my perception of lung disease. I used to be one of those people who associated respiratory conditions with smokers and old people when that is clearly not the case.”
Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation, says: “Alan is embarking on a remarkable challenge and all of us at the British Lung Foundation are supporting him and wish him well. Research into lung disease is desperately underfunded so the money Alan raises will help make a real difference.”
Alan has been training for his expedition since July and now regularly runs between 12 and 13 miles a day to build up fitness and endurance.
During the challenge he will spend eight hours a day mostly running along side the dogs, pushing and pulling the sled up and down hills and over rough terrain.
So far, Alan has raised £4,225 for the British Lung Foundation which will help fund research into childhood lung conditions.
You can sponsor Alan by clicking here and for updates on his progress check this website. If you would like more information about fundraising events for the British Lung Foundation click here.
For press enquiries or to arrange an interview, please email Kerry Kalcher or call 0207 688 5564.
