78 year old Lanarkshire man’s Arctic Circle Husky Challenge for Guide Dogs

Age is no barrier to adventure - at 78, Lorne Brown from Dullatur, Lanarkshire plans to drive a sled, dragged by huskies to the Arctic Circle. Beginning on 10 April, the incredible challenge will take 10 days.

The dynamic pensioner will be confronted by sub-zero temperatures.  He’ll be living on a diet of fish, caught through holes in the ice.

Before beginning the challenge, there’s the small matter of getting a husky driving licence.

The driving school is in Tasiilaq, East Greenland, at the Arctic Circle.  Here Lorne will be trained, introduced to his Inuit guides and equipped with tent and huskies.

To pass, Lorne will have to learn how to handle the dogs and sled, understand the howls of the unique Eastern Greenland huskies, and adjust to freezing temperature, -45oC at night.

The licence will allow him to drive a team six huskies and co-drive 10-16 dogs, allowing him to reach the Arctic Circle and raise £5,000 for Guide Dogs.

The former daily newspaper editorial artist has chosen charity Guide Dogs for very personal reasons. Lorne’s daughter, Christine, has a partner who is blind and about to begin training with a new guide dog.

Lorne explains: “Guide Dogs relies on voluntary donations to fund its services, and with it costing around £10 a day to breed, train and support each of its 4,500 guide dogs, I wanted to play my part in supporting the charity’s work.”

To support the Arctic Circle Husky Challenge in aid of Guide Dogs, visit www.justgiving.com/Lorne-Brown