An Ipswich pub landlord will be braving extreme temperatures as he attempts to sleep outdoors in the Arctic as part of the Royal British Legion's Arctic Survival Challenge.
Steven Wells, owner of The Shamrock on Upper Brook Street, says he is feeling "nervous excitement" as he prepares to travel to Northern Sweden, just 150km south of the Arctic Circle, next February.
"People are asking if I'm mad," he said.
"And when I sit down to think about it, I do wonder myself.
"But this is the opportunity of a lifetime and it's for an incredible cause.
"If I'm honest, I'm really looking forward to it."
The challenge will see Steven join a group of other participants in learning essential survival skills in one of the harshest environments on the planet.
Groups will be in the wilderness for seven nights and will be asked to sleep outdoors in sub-zero temperatutes for three of those, living off the land and relying on nature to survive.
The remaining evenings will be spent in a log cabin with no electricity - just a wood burner, basic kitchen, dining table and beds.
"We'll be asked to build shelters, dig snowholes, ice fish and light fires," said Steven.
"If we sleep in snow holes, we'll have to take it in turns candle-watching throughout the night. If it goes out, that means it's snowed too much.
"I think it's fair to say I'm feeling nervously excited about it. But it's an opportunity you just can't turn down."
Groups will also be asked to ski, drive snowmobiles and learn husky sledding.
The purpose of the challenge is not only to teach participants survival skills, but also to raise money for the British Royal Legion.
"Everyone involved is doing a fundraiser for this incredible charity," said Steven.
"That's the main purpose of why any of us are doing it.
"The challenge is for a good cause and any money raised will go along way to helping these fantastic people who work around the clock to not only support servicemen but also their families.
"So yes, they call me mad and yes, it is a risk, but it's nothing compared to the risk our incredible armed forces undertake.
"They're the reason we're doing this."
You can donate to Steven's JustGiving page here.
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