Cancer battler in fundraising drive for his polar mission

Published on Wednesday 22 August 2007 12:43

AN EDINBURGH man who plans to become the first cancer survivor to trek to the South Pole has launched a new fundraising drive as he prepares for the epic trip.

Richard Smith, 35, who has twice beaten testicular cancer, is joining a four-strong team on the trek.

They will measure the effects of the extreme Antarctic conditions on their bodies for the Centre for Altitude, Space and Extreme Environment Medicine (Case).

The Antarctic, which covers 5.5 million square miles and reaches temperatures of minus 50C, will be a huge test for the team.

It is estimated they will lose 8,500 calories a day each in the extreme conditions.

Mr Smith said being the oldest team member would not have an impact, and added: "We are all naturally competitive, but we're all out there together."

Following a successful three-and-a-half weeks' training in Greenland, the intrepid four need to raise 250,000 sponsorship in the next few weeks or may be forced to abandon their expedition.

Dr Dan Martin, critical care director of Case, said: "The conditions they will face will affect weight loss, muscular wasting and malnutrition.

"They will experience extraordinary negative energy balance, which means however much they eat the energy going out is much more, affecting weight loss and wasting."