Fuel Poverty is a serious issue, 59% of people affected by cancer report using more fuel after they have been diagnosed. More than 5,000 of you signed the Infi-Knit petition and we’ll be telling the government to freeze out fuel poverty, before then part of the scarf is helping keep Dr. Joe Geraghty warm as he treks to the north pole.
Step one of the expedition was a flight to Longyearbyan to acclimatise, and practice the cross-country skiing that will get the team to the pole. Unfortunately, as soon as they arrived heavy blizzards began, and seemed determined to prevent them from taking their last flight, to Ice Base Barneo.
Although Joe and the team were disappointed to be delayed they were in good company finding themselves chatting with none other than HRH Prince Harry, who was joining another charity expedition. Finally the weather cleared up enough for Harry’s flight to set off; next up were Joe and the Infi-Knit scarf!The next morning a two hour flight took them to Russian base so they could start their journey across the ice. As they came in to land they saw that a metre wide crack had appeared in the landing strip! This meant returning to Longyearbyen until it was repaired.
The woolly petition is really being put to good use with this expedition, and whilst it is crucial stay warm when trekking across the Arctic ice it is important to remember that the freeze out fuel poverty campaign has a serious aim. As well as financial problems fuel poverty can have serious negative impacts on health and well being, cancer treatment can make you less active, lead to hair loss and affect your appetite, making you feel the cold.
Finally, after weather delays, royal encounters and cracks in the ice they successfully managed to land and start their journey from Barneo. The easy bit was over, and wrapped up warm against the snow thanks to Infi-Knit Joe and the team managed to cover 8 miles in six hours!
If you forgot to sign the fuel poverty petition, why not have a look at some of our other campaigns, sign up and tell all your friends to do the same?
