By Leicester Mercury | Posted 11 April, 2012
Carol Marsden, braved temperatures of –18C as she handled a team of four dogs for 50km (31 miles) a day over a week in the frozen Arctic tundra of northern Sweden.
The 54-year-old health service manager took on the challenge to help Leicestershire charities LOROS and Prostaid and has so far raised £3,500.
Recovering at home in Knighton, Leicester, she said: "It was a life-changing experience. I wanted to do something different and push myself.
"Apart from my hatred of the cold, it was having to deal with semi-wild dogs that I dreaded the most." Carol's fear of dogs dates to an incident when, as a nine-year-old, she was bitten by an alsatian.
She said: "There were 12 of us in all, each raising money for different causes, and they really threw us in at the deep end.
"When we arrived I had to go inside a pen full of 73 huskies to collect my dogs. At first I just couldn't do it and froze. I almost burst into tears, but after a while I decided to man up and just did it."
However, during the week, she said she gradually noticed a change come over her. "We had to spend almost all our time with the dogs, including chopping up reindeer meet and feeding them. After a while you develop a strange bond. You rely on them and they rely on you.
"Most of the dogs are quite indifferent to humans, but one of my huskies, Pumba, was very affectionate and liked to have a pet to say well done at the end of a run."
Carol said: "Although it wasn't anywhere near as cold as I'd expected, it was still very cold – and incredibly tiring.
"But being in the wilderness, without any wireless connection, television or any home comforts was strangely liberating.
"Another highlight was witnessing a display of the northern lights over the north pole.
"It really was absolutely incredible and something most visitors never get the chance to see," said Carol. "However, I've got to say the highlight of the challenge has to be the dogs. I never believed I'd ever say that. I'm definitely cured."
Rob Pinsent, of the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain, helped Carol train with his two dogs – Luke Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi. Rob, 60, from Groby, said:
"I'm delighted for Carol. It's a great achievement and I'm very happy to have been able to help."
Carol's challenge was part of the Thomas May Executive Quest – a charity challenge set for business people by the Leicester firm of chartered accountants. So far, she has raised £3,500 in sponsorship and donations, which will be divided between Prostaid and LOROS, but more donations are welcome.
To make a donation visit: www.justgiving.com/CAROL-MARSDEN
