Dave Sissens

POLAR explorer Dave Sissens has begun the countdown to his epic trek to the Arctic Circle – and has upped his fundraising target to £25,000.

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After spending the past few months lugging car tyres around Great Dunmow and scaling flights of stairs with a rucksack of bricks on his back, the 37-year-old is gearing up for his April expedition to the North Pole.

The High Roding resident had originally set a target of £10,000 but after an overwhelming response from the local community he has decided to up his sponsorship goal significantly.

All the money raised will go towards the charity Children with Cancer.

Mr Sissens will embark on his grueling adventure alongside one of the world’s most-recognised polar explorers, Børge Ousland.

He will walk 150km – in temperatures as low as -40˚C – from a Russian scientific base, known as Camp Barneo, 89 degrees north all the way to the North Pole.

The keen martial arts enthusiast, rugby player and marathon runner said his preparation had been going “brilliantly”, despite a minor injury setback in December.

“I developed tendonitis in my Achilles as a result of carrying around bricks in a rucksack and overtraining,” Mr Sissens said.

“But I’m now feeling physically fit and raring to go – I just need to get back to more specific training to help me prepare for dragging my sled across the ice.”

“I am still exercising 10 times a week and have been cycling and swimming like there’s no tomorrow,” he added.

Mr Sissens will be leaving for his adventure on April 9. He has so far raised £12,700 but is hoping to reach £25,000 by the time he completes the trek. To donate, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/sissens.