It’s been a busy week, but if I haven’t done it now, then it’s not going to happen! Here I am ready to go (well almost). I  have only managed to get to the start with lots of help from many people!

It is always dangerous to name people for Thank Yous, but there are a few people that it is only right and proper to publicly THANK;

Tommy Gentleman from infin8pulse, who has provided me with personal training for the last 11 months. Tommy has always worked me to my limits, and there has been some serious pain … but my strength and fitness has improved beyond all recognition. I can now do pres-ups (never quite managed more than a few mms with pull ups), and no longer have bingo wings! You can see my last session with Tommy HERE!

Dave and his team at Key Multimedia, who have done all the clever stuff with the Arctic-Mummy Blog. I can update the posts, put photos in the Gallery ….. but anything slightly technical and the experts have had to be called in!

Sarah Kennedy, who has provided Pilate’s classes for the last 14 months. I now know where my core is, and can do a reasonable side plank, down dog, and reverse press-up. Sarah’s classes are always challenging, sociable and have helped me build great core strength. This is vital when I will be pulling a 50kg pulk for 12-15 hrs each day!

I have had an amazing amount of help and support from friends organising my three fundraising events. Sarah Kennedy (not only my Pilate’s instructor) but my lovely next door neighbour and very good friend, was the primary organiser with the quiz night held back in March 2010. Kizzy Romer-Lee who co-ordinated the very successful black Tie Auction night in November, and Judy Staples who made the Last Bash such a great event last week. Lots of other people helped out at these events providing food, running the auction, taking the bids etc etc, but these three beautiful people made these events happen!

My lovely business partner – Katie, who has provided all my creative stuff; from designing the very clever Arctic-Mummy logo, to producing artwork for sponsor badges, and making up films for You tube. A very talented lady!

My family (it’s rather large) have been fantastic. Neither sets of parents were keen about me abandoning my husband and children for 5 weeks to trek 350 miles in sub zero temperatures. Despite this My Parents Rene & Malcolm Hutchinson, and John’s parents, Philip and Gill Winchcombe have been fabulous, attending all the fundraising events and always being there for me and the family! My three beautiful sisters, Nicki, Carol and Lindy and their families, who have come and danced at the social events and kept telling me – you can do it! Wenche Smith, who sewed many, many sponsor badges onto my wind-suit … no mean feet with all it’s many pockets (which are all still use-able!) My gorgeous family, John, Annie, Sam and Simon, who have had to put up with me being away for training weekends, and constant questions about  the North Pole! Charlie Dog who has walked miles and miles with me!  Last but not least all my friends, near and far, who have constantly rallied round, sending texts, emails tweets and face-book comments – Thank you all so much. I would not have made it to the start without all you continued support!

My final thanks go to Danny Long and his team at Pure Technology, who have provided all the kit for me to keep blogging whilst I am away. I have had a good play, and so far so good!

My next blog will be from the other side of the pond! With Love and Thanks to you all xxx

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