A CABBIE will trade his taxi for husky power when he sets off for the Arctic in a fundraising mission for a south Essex hospice.

Great grandad Ray Woodcock, 66, will be leading a team of husky dogs 250km in a bid to raise £10,000 for Havens Hospices.

He will be spend eight, 14-hour days battling freezing temperatures as he travels across the ice.

He said: “I will have to feed, clean and control the huskies after just a couple of hours training.

“I’ll be building my own shelter and cooking for myself at night, when the temperatures dip to around -40C. It will be a physically and mentally tough challenge, and very hard to prepare for.”

In 2004, Ray climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and a year later he trekked through the Borneo jungle.

After a 12-month break he climbed three active volcanoes – Mount Etna, Mount Stromboli and Mount Vulcan.

Despite his past conquests, Ray said he will have to get out of his taxi as he trains for his Arctic adventure, which starts in April next year.

He said: “I will be standing up for 14 hours at a time on the sledge, but my job as a taxi driver obviously involves me sitting down.

“So, using my 35lb backpack, I am walking around town to strengthen my legs and arms.”

Ray, who lives with his partner, Heather, in Rayleigh Road, Eastwood, will be joined by a guide for his eight-day trip.

He said: “I am excited, but is it a daunting challenge and completely different to anything else I’ve done.

“But the thought of raising money for the children and families at Havens Hospices will help spur me on during the tough times.”

Havens Hospices incorporates Fair Havens Hospice, in Westcliff, and Little Havens children’s hospice, in Thundersley.

It needs £4.7 million this year to keep its unique and vital services running.

To sponsor Ray visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/havensgiving To find out more about Havens Hospices’ overseas challenges in for next year call 01702 220312.