A hotel worker from Cumbria is set to take on the challenge of a lifetime as he prepares to tackle a 145-mile solo trek through remote Greenland.
Geoff Lee, a hospitality supervisor at the Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa, will hike across some of the most isolated and wild parts of the country on a solo journey expected to take 11 days. By completing the gruelling trek on his own, he hopes to raise money and awareness for charities Mind and Macmillan Nurses, while also bringing attention to the issue of loneliness and the impact it can have on mental health.
The trail, regarded as one of the world’s most picturesque and challenging, starts at Kangerlussuaq, just North of the Arctic Circle, before working its way through remote Artic Tundra Valleys to the small fishing town of Sisimiut situated on the West Coast.
He said: “I’ve been inspired to take on this challenge to raise money for two causes that are close to my heart. I’m a seasoned trekker but have never attempted such a length of trial on my own. Doing this makes the task that much harder, but I wanted to make a statement on behalf of Mind and Macmillan, who provide help and assistance to those on a long and sometimes very lonely journey.
“Persistent isolation can have serious and detrimental effects on person’s overall wellbeing, leading to depression and anxiety. We need to have more conversations about how to tackle the problem and support those struggling with mental health.”
Working as a lounge supervisor at Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa since July 2017, Geoff has been utilising the hotel’s impressive training facilities to improve his strength and fitness.
He continued: “The hotel has given me great support already. I’ve got full access to the gym and I am working out regularly in preparation. I know it’s going to be tough, but it is also going to be a life changing experience.”
Peter Llewellyn, General Manager of Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa, said: “I’m incredibly proud of Geoff for taking on such a monumental challenge to raise much needed awareness around a really important subject.”
