Swindon Archive News
NORMAN BUTLER FROM SWINDON IS TAKING PART IN THE GREATEST POLAR RACE SINCE SCOTT & AMUNDSEN
Norman, second left, on a training trip in Austria in November
Thousands of people have sailed around the World and hundreds have climbed Everest but only a handful have walked or skied to a Pole.
In April 2003, Norman will set off on his epic trek, pulling a 70kg sled 400 miles towards the Magnetic North Pole. His journey is expected to take approximately 30 days.
He will encounter bitter winds, with temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees, will have to be prepared for falling through the ice into freezing waters and be vigilant against the very real threat of polar bears.
Norman is getting professional support with his preparations from his own expert back up team and the race organisers, Polar Adventures Ltd, who provide professional guidance and access to training courses appropriate to the skills required to successfully complete the event.
His first-class back up team includes a dietician and a psychologist who both work with the British Olympic team; a GP with experience of sports science & medicine; several experienced Polar explorers and the national Human Performance Centre at Lilleshall.
TO CONQUER & SURVIVE
In 2001, Norman successfully completed an unsupported row across the Atlantic Ocean, covering 3,143 miles in 82 days. During this voyage, made in his self-built ocean rowing boat "Spirit of Swindon", which was only 24 feet long and 7 feet wide, he had to overcome many hazards and obstacles including near fatal encounters with freighters, forked lightning, sleep deprivation, exhaustion, storms and 40ft waves.
When he decided to take on the rowing challenge he was only a novice rower and had never been to sea. Prior to commencing his preparations for the Polar Race, Norman had never skied or been further north than Leeds. Taking the same approach as he did to his rowing project, Norman continues to demonstrate that with will power, determination and thorough preparation an ordinary person can succeed in achieving the extraordinary.
Norman has what it takes not only to survive in the most desolate place on Earth but also to win the gruelling race. He has already passed the race organisers very rigorous testing. The motto that spurred him to success during his Atlantic row was 'TO CONQUER & SURVIVE'. The same motto will inspire him throughout the Polar Race
THE POLAR RACE
To survive within the Arctic takes courage, but to race in these conditions
requires a willingness and determination to push oneself to the limit.
Competitors will start from Resolute Bay, on the south side of Cornwallis Island, in the former North West Territories of Canada. The race continues along the west coast of the island before crossing to the Polaris mine on Little Cornwallis Island.
From here there are a number of different routes depending on ice conditions. The likely route will be to the north of Bathurst Island, near the mid-point of the long crossing to King Christian Island, situated in the Maclean Strait. From here the choice of route to the Magnetic North Pole will be made - either around or over the Noice Peninsula on Ellef Ringnes Island.
Teams reaching the finish at Isachsen, a derelict base, will have completed the Polar Race 2003 - the first of its kind - a race as extreme as is likely to be encountered anywhere on the globe.
Each team will carry an integrated communication system linked to dedicated back up facilities, which include both motorised skidoo and aircraft. Included in the survival equipment carried by team members will be polar bear deterrents.
True to the purest nature of the event - man against the elements - any outside help will render a team ineligible for a finishing position.
THE TRAINING
Norman's training programme covers all of the necessary skills required to compete in the race. In addition to the physical training, technical training will be given a great deal of attention. Building on his decision-making and lateral thinking skills, the technical training will develop his knowledge of: Camp skills, cold weather injuries, survival in the field, navigation, route selection, map skills, the effects of dehydration, team work, distance and weight carry, personal hygiene, back-up plans, crossing ice drills, survival training, medical skills, ski training and breaking ice drills.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
TOTAL SPONSORSHIP NEEDED
In order to compete in the event, Norman has to raise £23,000. This cost is made up as follows:
£18,000 Race entry fee payable to the organisers, Polar Adventures Ltd. This includes flights, clothing, equipment, training and accommodation that are specific to the race only.
£2,500 Consultancy, courses and training costs not provided by the race organisers. This includes training in Austria, Scotland and Quebec.
£1,500 Personal equipment and goods for the race not provided by the race organisers. An example is the video camera to record the adventure and promote the sponsors
£1,000 Equipment and clothing needed for training. An example is the cold weather clothing.
HOW TO SPONSOR
To become part of this unique adventure you can sponsor anything from £500 to £23,000. This can be done by cheque payment or a donation in kind of equipment, goods or services. For example, £500 would buy the dehydrated food; £1,000 the video camera and £5,000 would cover the next installment of the entry fee.
Cheques should be made payable to "ARCTIC CHALLENGE" and sent to: Arctic Challenge, 37 Benwell Close, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7BY
Please see above for the sponsorship opportunities that can be offered in return.
If you would like to know more about sponsorship or the project in general please do not hesitate to contact Norman Butler (see below for contact details).
THE COMMUNITY PROJECT
Arctic Challenge, the official title of Norman's project, is a local community project with its own bank account involving schools and raising money for charity.
NORMAN BUTLER
Norman, left, with Swindon arctic adventurer Richard Bull
Norman Butler, 38, is married with one daughter. He is an ordinary person who demonstrates that we are all capable of pursuing our dreams. Norman explains: "It's within most of us to do the extraordinary. With commitment and a little bit of passion anything is possible".
He has a very good profile locally and is respected in his community:
He has received the following recognitions:
Gives talks to businesses, schools and the public. Credits include:
For his Atlantic row he received extensive local media coverage including:
CONTACT DETAILS:
ADDRESS: 37 BENWELL CLOSE WESTLEA SWINDON SN5 7BY
PHONE: 01793 882197 (home) 0771 2586945 (mobile)
E-MAIL: norman@benwellclose.freeserve.co.uk
Norman, second left, on a training trip in Austria in November
Thousands of people have sailed around the World and hundreds have climbed Everest but only a handful have walked or skied to a Pole.
In April 2003, Norman will set off on his epic trek, pulling a 70kg sled 400 miles towards the Magnetic North Pole. His journey is expected to take approximately 30 days.
He will encounter bitter winds, with temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees, will have to be prepared for falling through the ice into freezing waters and be vigilant against the very real threat of polar bears.
Norman is getting professional support with his preparations from his own expert back up team and the race organisers, Polar Adventures Ltd, who provide professional guidance and access to training courses appropriate to the skills required to successfully complete the event.
His first-class back up team includes a dietician and a psychologist who both work with the British Olympic team; a GP with experience of sports science & medicine; several experienced Polar explorers and the national Human Performance Centre at Lilleshall.
TO CONQUER & SURVIVE
In 2001, Norman successfully completed an unsupported row across the Atlantic Ocean, covering 3,143 miles in 82 days. During this voyage, made in his self-built ocean rowing boat "Spirit of Swindon", which was only 24 feet long and 7 feet wide, he had to overcome many hazards and obstacles including near fatal encounters with freighters, forked lightning, sleep deprivation, exhaustion, storms and 40ft waves.
When he decided to take on the rowing challenge he was only a novice rower and had never been to sea. Prior to commencing his preparations for the Polar Race, Norman had never skied or been further north than Leeds. Taking the same approach as he did to his rowing project, Norman continues to demonstrate that with will power, determination and thorough preparation an ordinary person can succeed in achieving the extraordinary.
Norman has what it takes not only to survive in the most desolate place on Earth but also to win the gruelling race. He has already passed the race organisers very rigorous testing. The motto that spurred him to success during his Atlantic row was 'TO CONQUER & SURVIVE'. The same motto will inspire him throughout the Polar Race
THE POLAR RACE
To survive within the Arctic takes courage, but to race in these conditions
requires a willingness and determination to push oneself to the limit.
Competitors will start from Resolute Bay, on the south side of Cornwallis Island, in the former North West Territories of Canada. The race continues along the west coast of the island before crossing to the Polaris mine on Little Cornwallis Island.
From here there are a number of different routes depending on ice conditions. The likely route will be to the north of Bathurst Island, near the mid-point of the long crossing to King Christian Island, situated in the Maclean Strait. From here the choice of route to the Magnetic North Pole will be made - either around or over the Noice Peninsula on Ellef Ringnes Island.
Teams reaching the finish at Isachsen, a derelict base, will have completed the Polar Race 2003 - the first of its kind - a race as extreme as is likely to be encountered anywhere on the globe.
Each team will carry an integrated communication system linked to dedicated back up facilities, which include both motorised skidoo and aircraft. Included in the survival equipment carried by team members will be polar bear deterrents.
True to the purest nature of the event - man against the elements - any outside help will render a team ineligible for a finishing position.
THE TRAINING
Norman's training programme covers all of the necessary skills required to compete in the race. In addition to the physical training, technical training will be given a great deal of attention. Building on his decision-making and lateral thinking skills, the technical training will develop his knowledge of: Camp skills, cold weather injuries, survival in the field, navigation, route selection, map skills, the effects of dehydration, team work, distance and weight carry, personal hygiene, back-up plans, crossing ice drills, survival training, medical skills, ski training and breaking ice drills.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
- TALKS AND PRESENTATIONS TO BUSINESSES
MOTIVATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL WITH VARYING THEMES
- IMAGES OF YOUR COMPANY'S LOGO ON A FLAG AT THE NORTH POLE
- LOGO(S) ON THE SLEDGE & EQUIPMENT
A SPECIFIC PIECE OF EQUIPMENT CAN BE SPONSORED
- BRANDED CLOTHING
- LOGOS ON DISPLAY BOARDS AND BANNERS AT CONFERENCES AND EVENTS
- EXTENSIVE LOCAL MEDIA COVERAGE
INCLUDING RADIO & TV INTERVIEWS AND REGULAR ARTICLES IN THE PRESS
LOCAL TV HAS AGREED TO COVER NORMANšS PREPARATIONS AND RACE PROGRESS
NORMAN WILL BE WRITING ARTICLES FOR NATIONAL FITNESS MAGAZINE, ULTRAFIT
THERE IS NATIONAL TV COVERAGE OF THE EVENT (THE FIRST OF ITS KIND)
- OPPORTUNITIES FOR NETWORKING WITH OTHER BUSINESSES
- WEB SITE
- WHEN BUSINESSES SPONSOR NORMAN BUTLER FOLLOWING HIS PROGRESS CAN BE USED
TO GENERATE A UNIFYING INTEREST WITHIN A COMPANY
- BUSINESSES SPONSORING NORMAN BUTLER CAN SAY THEY WERE A PART OF THE TEAM
THAT TOOK PART IN THE FIRST EVER POLAR RACE
- BUSINESSES SPONSORING NORMAN BUTLER ARE SUPPORTING A LOCAL COMMUNITY
PROJECT THAT NOT ONLY INVOLVES SCHOOLS AND RAISES MONEY FOR CHARITY BUT ALSO
INSPIRES PEOPLE
- GIVES SPONSORS AN ASSOCIATION NOT ONLY WITH AN EVENT THAT IS ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BUT ALSO ARTIC CHALLENGE'S PATRONS AND TEAM MEMBERS
TOTAL SPONSORSHIP NEEDED
In order to compete in the event, Norman has to raise £23,000. This cost is made up as follows:
£18,000 Race entry fee payable to the organisers, Polar Adventures Ltd. This includes flights, clothing, equipment, training and accommodation that are specific to the race only.
£2,500 Consultancy, courses and training costs not provided by the race organisers. This includes training in Austria, Scotland and Quebec.
£1,500 Personal equipment and goods for the race not provided by the race organisers. An example is the video camera to record the adventure and promote the sponsors
£1,000 Equipment and clothing needed for training. An example is the cold weather clothing.
HOW TO SPONSOR
To become part of this unique adventure you can sponsor anything from £500 to £23,000. This can be done by cheque payment or a donation in kind of equipment, goods or services. For example, £500 would buy the dehydrated food; £1,000 the video camera and £5,000 would cover the next installment of the entry fee.
Cheques should be made payable to "ARCTIC CHALLENGE" and sent to: Arctic Challenge, 37 Benwell Close, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7BY
Please see above for the sponsorship opportunities that can be offered in return.
If you would like to know more about sponsorship or the project in general please do not hesitate to contact Norman Butler (see below for contact details).
THE COMMUNITY PROJECT
Arctic Challenge, the official title of Norman's project, is a local community project with its own bank account involving schools and raising money for charity.
NORMAN BUTLER
Norman, left, with Swindon arctic adventurer Richard Bull
Norman Butler, 38, is married with one daughter. He is an ordinary person who demonstrates that we are all capable of pursuing our dreams. Norman explains: "It's within most of us to do the extraordinary. With commitment and a little bit of passion anything is possible".
He has a very good profile locally and is respected in his community:
- His ocean rowing boat has been displayed at the Science Museum.
- Has established links with local companies and organisations.
- Raises money for charity and does voluntary work wherever possible.
- Continues to make school visits.
He has received the following recognitions:
- Presented with a "People Of Wiltshire Award" for his rowing endeavour
- Guest of honour at Swindon Collegešs graduation ceremony
- Invited to a Buckingham Palace garden party
- Public acknowledgement of his achievements by his project Patrons Sir Maurice Johnston & Sir Steve Redgrave
Gives talks to businesses, schools and the public. Credits include:
- Lecture at Bath University in Swindon
- Chamber of Commerce President's Quarterly Lunch
- Grant Thornton
- National Power
For his Atlantic row he received extensive local media coverage including:
- A video diary for the BBC.
- Over 120 articles in newspapers and magazines. The majority included images.
- Over 20 radio interviews and is still in demand.
- Features, including extensive coverage of his sponsors' logos, in over 35 local TV news programmes.
CONTACT DETAILS:
ADDRESS: 37 BENWELL CLOSE WESTLEA SWINDON SN5 7BY
PHONE: 01793 882197 (home) 0771 2586945 (mobile)
E-MAIL: norman@benwellclose.freeserve.co.uk
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