The pole2pole project took 2yrs of planning to include establishing a charity, attracting key resources, raising funds and securing collaborative partnerships with key organisations in further endorsing key project objectives. A discussion between Miles Peckham [MD of Watermark Event Management Ltd, Chairman and co-founder of The Muscular Help Foundation] and Michael McGrath generated the idea of the pole2pole project following on from the success of the North Pole.
The first expedition to the North Pole was a pre-defined event organised by Christopher Cope, Head of Development at Benchmark Group Plc [central London property investment and development company]. The objective was to raise funds for MDC [Muscular Dystrophy Campaign of Great Britain]. This expedition was called The Christopher Cope North Pole Expedition.
Michael McGrath [then a Trustee of MDC] approached Christopher Cope with a view to joining his expedition to help raise more awareness and funds for MDC. Michael's first task was to raise his own expedition costs and help two additional team members [carers] do the same. The second task was to overcome the logistical challenges presented by Michael's limited mobility. Christopher Cope walked the last degree with his team led by Geoff Somers. Michael aided by Christopher Cope walked the last 150 metres to the Geographic North Pole.
Through Michael McGrath's participation in the North Pole expedition, further media interest was generated including Sky News upon the teams return to the UK. Following on from the success of the North Pole expedition and in looking to complete a trilogy of challenging fundraising events, Michael shared his determination to create a 2nd standalone project with Miles Peckham, who had previously accompanied him to the North Pole. A project plan was pulled together with the sole aim of reaching the South Pole. Michael McGrath has Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy and was diagnosed in 1983 at age 18yrs. In the UK, 1 in every 3500 boys are born with Duchenne MD, the most severe and common form of Muscular Dystrophy – by the age of 8 to 11yrs they cannot walk. Most die from heart or respiratory failure by mid-20's. Muscular Dystrophy is not a well-known condition. It affects approximately 3.5 million people worldwide.
pole2pole was an opportunity to raise global awareness and funds. As a sufferer of MD, McGrath's circulatory system is less efficient. One of the side effects of his condition is that he feels the cold considerably more than able-bodied people, particularly in his extremities [hands, feet and in Michael's specific case, his legs]. Human nature the way it is, the more extreme the endeavour, the greater the media interest which in turn drives the message – all the more remarkable for a person with MD to cope with both Arctic and Antarctic environments.
The Honourable Alexandra Shackleton, granddaughter of Sir Ernest Shackleton became the pole2pole Patron and Robert Swan OBE, Expedition Patron.
Official Expedition Report
