Veteran Fundraiser Prepares For Coldest Challenge

A former Army Major has set out to complete a trio of extreme marathons by taking on the North Pole.

Rob Shenton has already raised funds for the forces charity, Help for Heroes, by running the Marathon des Sables in the Sahara back in 2011, followed by the highest marathon in the world on the side of Mount Everest two years later.

Major Shenton served more than 21 years in the Army, with deployments including Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan. He was medically discharged in 2016 with depression and PTSD.

He said he is fundraising for the charity because it continues to support him.

“Help for Heroes helped me with my transition from the army to civilian life and they’re still helping me today with things like hidden wounds”

Rob has been training in a special climate chamber at Portsmouth University which is the only one of its kind in the UK that can simulate arctic temperatures.

The effect on Rob is captured by a heat-sensitive camera. The data is used by Professor Mike Tipton and his team to protect Rob from the extreme cold of the North Pole.

“We can see which areas he’s losing heat from – and we adjust his clothing to make sure he’s got the optimum insulation”

Rob admits that his battle with depression has hampered his life but the rewards that come from running have helped him to overcome his mental issues.

“I enjoy running and also that I’m doing something to earn money for charity”