Finance expert takes the Arctic challenge

A senior vice president at one of the world’s top financial firms hast swapped the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf for -20 degree temperatures, frozen lakes and “travel by husky dog” in a charity challenge.

Wade McDonald, from State Street Global Services, took on the extreme conditions of East Greenland by dog sled on Friday March 16.

He will sled 300km over five days from Kulusuk to the shores of the Tasiilaqfjord with five other colleagues from the financial sector. The challenge will see the group battle over glaciers, hunt and fish for their own food and, of course, keep an eye out for local polar bears.

But none of this, it seems, bothers Wade.

He said: “I’m very much a tropical person and the last place I would usually expect to go is the Arctic tundra.

“But I jog two or three times a week already so I’m confident I’ll be okay.

“It is more a case of dealing with the climate and getting used to seeing such a vast open space all the time. It will be interesting to see just what life is like in that kind of environment.”

Wade is raising money for Richard House Children’s Hospice; one of the charity partners of his firm, State Street.

He said: “When I signed up for the challenge, I thought ‘if I’m going to be going through this pain, I want someone to gain from it.’

“I also intend to bring presents back from the Arctic for the children at the hospice and also talk to them about my adventure.”