pole2pole Acknowledgements

Personal Acknowledgements

Throughout the past three years, I would like to thank most notably and most obviously, my family, in particular my wife Sue and daughter Gemma whom without their tireless support, keen insight and incredible patience and love, we may never have achieved what it was we set out to do at the start of this journey.

CORPORATE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

OTHER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To Miles Peckham for whom I am profoundly grateful for his continued belief, encouragement, business advice and guidance, moral support and friendship in joining our team to the North Pole, being my guardian, anchorman and angel investor for the South Pole and most importantly supporting our vision from the beginning.

“The two most important things I've learnt are that you are as powerful and strong as you allow yourself to be, and that the most difficult part of any endeavour is taking that first step"

Michael McGrath

To Pen Hadow of The Polar Travel Company for his experience, astute advice and logistical support in reaching the North Pole as well his continued guidance, extensive project management knowledge, infectious polar passion and conviction in encouraging our South Pole pursuit in reaching beyond … and for those Sorel boots which did us proud on both occasions! Thank you.

***

To Christopher Cope for embracing the opportunity of including me as part of his North Pole Challenge and his remarkably insightful words on the Open House Gloria Hunniford TV show when he said, “Michael, try not to keep me waiting".

***

To Major Craig Kerry-Williams for his friendship and above all his incisive decision-making capability having just arrived at our 2^nd attempt into appalling blizzard conditions at the Borneo Base Camp on the Arctic ice, made exactly the right decision to immediately return back to Spitzbergen, despite being less than an hour by helicopter from our North Pole objective.

***

To all at ALE [Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Ltd] who made Antarctica possible in ensuring that our journey was safe and that our objective to reach the South Pole was realised – special thanks to our extraordinary guide Di Gilbert for her energy, guidance and terrific enthusiasm and also to Mike Sharpe, Peter McDowell, Nick Lewis, Sue Staniland, Mark Rawsthorne and David Rootes.

***

To the Honourable Alexandra Shackleton, President of The James Caird Society for her patronage of the South Pole project, outstanding support and confidence and like her grandfather, Sir Ernest Shackleton, her resolute and enduring optimism that we would succeed in reaching our goal

To the many other patrons, celebrities, athletes, explorers, adventurers and entrepreneurs who saw fit to provide their words of endorsement to the South Pole expedition [2^nd phase of pole2pole]

***

To Professor Francesco Muntoni at The Imperial College of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London for his professional input and consultation in helping me to understand and manage the limitations of my physical condition

***

To Professor Kate Bushby, Professor of Neuromuscular Genetics at the Institute of Human Genetics, International Centre for Life, Newcastle for supporting me and contributing on air with BBC Radio Newcastle

***

To Professor Kay E. Davies, Dr Lee's Professor of Anatomy, Honorary Director, MRC Functional Genetics Unit, Department of Human Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford for her words of encouragement

***

To Dr William H Bowen, Professor Emeritus, University of Rochester, New York for his insightful comment, advice and support as a lifelong family friend

***

To Joe Saxton of nfp Synergy [part of The Future Foundation] for sharing his thoughts, experience, clarity of thinking and advice on internet fundraising and charities in terms of best practice guidelines and an explanation of the components of a brand through to providing a printing and binding service for the original pole2pole sponsorship document

***

To Nigel Lewis-Baker for providing a 24/7 content management and update service since pole2pole was conceived in ensuring that the very essence of our communication portal ie. Our website, remained fresh and informative

Top