Injury and ice scupper brave charity trekkers (From Gazette & Herald)

Injury and ice scupper brave charity trekkers

RYEDALE businessman Phil Cornelius has returned after a hair-raising attempt to race across Russia.

Phil, MD of Ryedale Travel, was taking part in the Expedition Trophy from Murmansk to Vladivostok but was knocked out at the end of the fifth day as his team failed to reach the checkpoint in time.

Although they could have continued as spectators, Phil said they were finding the going too dangerous.

He said: "We were expecting off-road stages with public roads in between, but it was all on public roads. There was ice and cars coming the other way, and we had no sleep. We were living on Mars Bars and Red Bull. But there were accidents and one guy collapsed at the end of a stage.

"It was a relief when we finished. It wasn't what we were expecting."

As part of the challenge, participants had to take pictures of landmarks as they passed them which gave them points. Some of these were away from the main route and were worth extra points.

It was one of these diversions that cost the team their place.

Phil explained: "We went for a big one off route, but coming back we met a blizzard. I was stopped for speeding twice and for overtaking in the wrong place. We decided not to go on rather than carry on at daft speeds.

"I also lost half a stone, as there was nowhere to eat, no time to eat and no time to sleep. I'm just taking my time recovering now."

AN ATTEMPT to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for charity was thwarted just 300 metres from the summit by injury.

John Davison, head of operations at Ryedale District Council, has returned home from his trip of a lifetime disappointed to have missed the summit but still having raised around £10,000 for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme, which is celebrating its 50th year.

An ankle injury sustained before the trip prevented him from completing the climb.John said: "It was an adventure, an endurance test. Most of our team went down with a stomach bug. But despite that it was very good. "Three actually went to the summit, so we were quite pleased. Hopefully, we've raised nearly £10,000."

John thanked everyone who has supported the event, and added: "It was a trip of a lifetime, but I wouldn't like to repeat it."

John plans to take part in further events later in the year, including a cycling expedition in France.

Updated: 15:37 Wednesday, March 08, 2006