For further information contact:

  Polar Adventures Ltd
  18 Neville Road
  Kingston
  Surrey
  KT1 3QX
  UK

Tel: +44 (0)20 8549 1457
Fax: +44 (0)20 8241 7914
Eml: info@polarrace.com

Kevin Dixon

Team: Pole Position


NATIONALITY:	British
HOME:	Wakefield, UK
AGE:	40 something
HEIGHT:	186cm (6'1")
WEIGHT:	90kg (198 lbs)
PROFESSION:	Managing Director of a print and mail company
INTERESTS:	Skiing, Cycling, Running, Sailing, Wakefield Wildcats
PRIOR ARCTIC EXPERIENCE:	None
PRIOR EXPEDITION EXPERIENCE:	Cycling from London to Paris. Running half-marathons in Prague, Nottingham and Liverpool
PREVIOUS FURTHEST NORTH:	Greenland
PREVIOUS COLDEST PLACE:	Probably standing watching my son play rugby in Siddal, Halifax on a Sunday afternoon. Otherwise, Finland at around -25°C
REASON FOR ENTERING RACE:	1) To be the best I can be. 2) As someone suffering from type 1 diabetes I experience both ignorance and prejudice. I hope to prove both to sufferers and non-diabetics alike that diabetes is not an impediment to successful participation in any physical activity. 3) To create awareness and raise money for the charity, SmartRisk.

BIOGRAPHY

It seems like I am living my life in reverse. Over the past two years I have participated in a range of inspirational activities more suited to late teens and early twenties than a forty something! This polar challenge will be the culmination of them.

Originally from Settle in North Yorkshire, I spent most of my formative years in and around Rothwell, South Leeds, before moving to Wakefield about twenty five years ago.

I attended Rothwell Grammar School and gained a Masters degree at Leeds University. I joined a local printing business, eventually becoming Sales and Marketing Director. After a brief spell as head of sales and marketing at JC Moores in Liverpool, five years ago I headed a management buy-out at Charisma Colour Print in Sheffield, thereby achieving a long held business ambition.

CHARITIES

One of the main reasons for participating in the race is to create awareness and raise money for an important but little known charity, SmartRisk.

Originally a Canadian based charity, their primary activity in the UK is to run road-shows aimed at young people.