Fundraising on Ice - NFP Chair Skis to the South Pole

FARE Chair, Cheryl Bart has skied to the South Pole.

What would you do to raise money for your charity? The Chair of a health promotion charity, FARE, the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, has skied 150 kilometres with a 40 kilogram sled to the South Pole!

FARE’s Chair, Cheryl Bart, has used the expedition to support two charitable foundations, FARE and Mawson's Huts, by raising funds and awareness. Bart set off on January 2, with a guide, three team mates, a sled and a pair of skis to recreate the last section of the journey across the polar plateau, celebrating the Centennial Year of the first Antarctic explorers.

Having reached the South Pole in recent days her supporters have tweeted that their intrepid boss is now on the journey home.

Vivien Mitchell, the funding development manager for FARE in a recent blog said: “While the rest of us enjoy a typical Australian summer – beaches, pools and outdoor festivals, FARE’s Chairman, Cheryl Bart, is skiing to the South Pole. We’ve linked her journey to FARE’s first online fundraising activity.

“Cheryl is an extraordinary woman. She’s a company director, lawyer and mum, with an indomitable, adventurous spirit,” Mitchell said.

“Cheryl’s team hoped to arrive at their destination to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Mawson’s epic journey – the first Antarctic adventurers.

“FARE is thrilled that Cheryl has offered to raise money as she treks south. We had fun with some creative puns – Funds Head North as Chairman Heads South and Frozen Assets: Support a Journey to the South Pole,” Mitchell said.

“Raising awareness about alcohol, and its potential impacts and harms, is part of FARE’s mission to ‘change the way we drink’. Alcohol is a big part of Australian culture, and FARE recognises that. Our strategic plan (community education and engagement) aims to help people understand that in larger amounts, alcohol can negatively affect mental and physical health.”

“As the ice tinkles in your glass this summer, focus on that ice cube for a moment. Cheryl, her team mates, and the other teams will be living in a world of ice for several weeks – cheers to the courageous and intrepid people who are skiing to the South Pole, and raising money and awareness at the same time. It really is fundraising on ice.”

In 2008, Cheryl Bart and Nikki Bart became the first mother and daughter team to reach the summit of Mount Everest. They have also climbed the highest peaks on seven continents.

As Bart began the homeward journey she she blogged: “I feel extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to ski to the South Pole unsupported, taking all our own gear and food in our sleds, with a wonderful team, great guides, and of course all of you who have been following this adventure.”