Good morning nice BSP people
I had a good read through your discussion of BSPs sponsorship and my participation in this event and I agree with many things you say in respect of this appearing hypocritical so please allow me to introduce myself and explain myself.
Firstly I am not a rich kid type, I am a simple engineer with a spirit of adventure. I have funded this through hard work and some assistance from companies who wish to use this as an internal marketing opportunity to inspire their staff. Whilst at the same time contributing any private sponsorships direct to charities.
I am not trying to raise 18000 then give money to charity once I have reached my goal to get me in the race. That's not what I am all about! I have only raised 5000 through corporate sponsorship. I have put 13000 of my own money into this. Everything I get from here on in goes to charity. Everything over and above cost price of t-shirts and badges will go to my 3 charities…
NSPCC- because my mother works for and with them and to be frank some of the horror stories she tells me about child abuse are just unbelievable. I would like to tell you some on this forum to give you an idea but they are too hideous to write up!
JDRF- Juvenile Diabetes research Fund- I work with people with this ailment and the company I work for are deeply involved in their own private fund raising schemes.
PBI- Polar Bear International Research- I want to contribute to important research into the change in habitat of these creatures. I also love the idea of researching whilst racing...sounds hypocritical again, but listen.... Much of the current research is only down in Hudson Bay area and it is already clear from there that the animals are becoming more distressed and more malnourished, and are therefore starting to roam to other locations to find food, shelter etc which is being depleted further South. The High Arctic where we are racing is an area they know little about when it comes to polar bears and the marine ecosystem. In the longer term, it is expected that the High Arctic will be the primary refuge for polar bears if the climate continues to warm. Observations of any polar bear predation events are therefore very useful even if the bear isn't about (and it is not recommend going over to investigate closer!). I will record location of bears, feeding observations, condition of bears, numbers of cubs and so on.
WHY HAVE I ENTERED?
For a long time in my life I have wanted to visit the polar regions. I am a geologist and naturally inquisitive about nature, the earths processes and why and how we are here and developed how we did as a race. Yes...I am entering this race for my own selfish personal ambition, some people are cool with that, some people think it a waste of time and money and carbon! I want to go there, I want to race there and push myself...
"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go…and our limits are often far beyond where we assume them to be". (T.S. Eliot)
I want to do all this in the most sensitive way possible, hence the charity work.
This is what the race organisers have to say about their carbon footprint....
http://www.polar-challenge.com//detail. ... icleID=386
Finally, Global Warming, what and who do we believe? There is so much going around in the media, and many different opinions. Whether or not you believe global warming is due to mans intervention in the earth cycle, or if it is a natural phenomenon and the earth cools and heats due to other processes, we all need to change our lifestyles accordingly for the simple fact that we are littering up the planet and ruining our own health and that of animals co-existing with us.
FINALLY...as a BSP fan I am absolutely blown away by the bands decison to patronize my Polar Challenge team. The fact that I can use their name is very flattering for me. British Sea Power Polar Team sounds awesome. To be able to use this opportunity with BSP to raise funds for charity is again fantastic, and I hope that they and you will inturn get a little enjoyment back out of following the team and hopefully cheering us on to win!
If you want a t-shirt cos it looks cool, buy it, if you want one cos it looks cool and you are contributing to some charities, even better.
Thanks for reading this guys and girls, if you wnat to know any more you can email and I'll do my best to answer you.
G