Cheshire man gearing up for Arctic challenge for Help for Heroes

A man from Helsby is preparing for the trip of a lifetime, which he believes will raise thousands of pounds for Help for Heroes.

Mike Metcalf is to race 4,000 miles across the freezing terrain of the Arctic in just 14 days in memory of his friend, Kevin Cochrane, who died in 2009 after a battle with prostate cancer, reports the Chester Chronicle.

Mr Metcalf will visit the grave of his friend before departing for the epic adventure, as it will bring back memories of the time they planned to drive across the Alps together.

"He pulled out so I would still be able to go. He was never once upset, the adventure was on the top of things he wanted to do before he died," he explained.

Over the last 12 months, Mr Metcalf and a team of explorers have raised in excess of £31,500 for the military charity.

His latest challenge will see him travel from Liverpool to Cape Town and battle temperatures as low as -30 degrees C.