In March 2026, in support of Mountbatten Isle of Wight, a group of fundraisers will take on an epic fundraising adventure: Sledding over 240km through untouched natural landscapes and tending to a pack of husky dogs, before finishing at Sweden's world-famous Ice Hotel.

Follow our Mountbatten Isle of Wight Lapland Husky Trail Challenge blog

Sarah, a GP, is among those taking on this challenge, run by specialist Global Adventure Challenges, on behalf of our hospice charity.

Read what inspires her and sponsor her, below.

---

Sarah, what made you take on the Lapland Husky Trail Challenge with Mountbatten Isle of Wight?

I chose to undertake this challenge as it will be a crazy adventure that also allows me to support the hospice.

A member of the hospice management team attended a meeting at work and noted there were potentially going to be cuts, due to issues with funding. 

This made me reflect on how significant the work of the hospice is to the Island. I don't know a single day at work where I haven't seen a patient supported by the hospice, in one way or another. Raising money is a thank you for all that Mountbatten Isle of Wight does on the Island.

How are you feeling about the challenge?

I hate asking people for money, so fundraising is out of my comfort zone, more than the trip itself. I'm going to be begging all my friends, family, colleagues and patients to support me. I suspect there may be a cold water dip challenge in the winter as well, to help raise funds.

What are you most looking forward to?

I'm looking forward to the vast snowy scenery and getting to know the seven huskies that will lead my sled.

What do you think will be the most challenging part?

I'm not looking forward to using a bucket for a toilet and trying to sleep when the huskies are howling, in the early hours. Cold weather, wild camping, no toilets, 260km on a husky sled (pushing it up hills wearing snow boots) and concentrating hard, to steer seven huskies, for hours at a time.

Why Mountbatten Isle of Wight?

As a thank you to all the staff and volunteers at Mountbatten Isle of Wight! We have an awesome hospice on the Island, that really is a cornerstone of healthcare. 

Sadly, palliative medicine is not fully funded by the NHS and there has been a drop in funding, over the years. I have friends working in hospices on the mainland, where redundancies have occurred due to financial struggles. This cannot happen on the Island.

As a GP, I see patients every day that have benefitted from its support, to them or family members. In order for the hospice to continue to thrive, it needs our support.