Seasoned Polar explorer and Redditch businessman Dean Attwell has returned home after successfully completing an expedition to the South Pole and raised £30,000 for charity in the process.

Walking and skiing at an altitude of approximately 3,100m for up to 10 hours a day, Dean arrived at the South Pole on Sunday 12th January 2020, having left the UK on the 30th December 2019. Conditions ranged from clear, crisp bright skies to near whiteout ground blizzard conditions with deep snowdrifts covering sleds and tents; powerful images and moments that will stay with him forever.

Said Dean: “The South Pole is stunning and brutal at the same time. Its pure beauty and raw nature are breath-taking, whilst extremely challenging, with every step both physically and mentally demanding.

“I want to thank everyone who’s helped and supported me throughout this journey. My family, friends and colleagues, the team at Forder PT gym who worked so hard to ensure my body was expedition ready, to Keith from Polar Explorers who looked after me both on and off the ice, and to everyone who has donated and supported me and Molly Olly’s Wishes, an amazing charity, which has already helped over 1,500 children across the UK.”

Molly Olly’s Wishes was set up by grieving parents Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw following the death of their 8-year old daughter Molly who sadly passed away in 2011. With Dean’s expedition self-funded, every penny donated will now go the charity to support children from birth to 18 years, and their families, living with a terminal or life-threatening illness.

Training for over a year to ensure he was ready to handle the extremes of weather, temperatures, ice and snowy conditions of the South Pole Dean, the Group Chief Executive of Oakland International, frequently tests his endurance and stamina whilst raising money for charity, taking part in a range of fundraising adventures including successfully climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa in 2013 and trekking to the North Pole in 2017.

Commenting on the future Dean added: “I really have no idea what my next challenge will be, I’m just enjoying the moment and plan to spend some time with my family.”

You can still make a donation via Dean’s fundraising page until the end of the month: https://lnkd.in/eNCwNjX and you can find out more about Molly Olly’s Wishes by visiting their webpage: https://www.mollyolly.co.uk/

Image:  Dean Attwell and Olly the Brave at the South Pole!

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