A FUNDRAISING New Milton Lions Club member could be looking for a butcher's freezer to train for his latest expedition.

Dave Hewson has trekked across the Sinai Desert, walked the Macmillan Way from Rutland Water to Abbotsbury and hiked a good chunk of the South Coast Way for good causes.

Now the 55-year-old from Ashley Lane, New Milton, is heading off to Norway for a 250km dog sledding adventure which will take him and a group of other thrill-seekers travelling deep into the Arctic Circle.

The aim is to get sponsorship and raise lots of money for Lymington's Oakhaven Hospice.

"I've guaranteed £3,000 and hopefully there might be some more on top of that," said Dave.

He will be flying out to Oslo in February and then taking an internal flight north to an airstrip 20 miles inside the Arctic Circle ready for the start of what promises to be a very chilly week. The team could face temperatures plummeting to minus 30 degrees Celcius.

There's no way Dave can train for the cold.

"I suppose I could sit in a butcher's freezer, but I don't know anyone," he said.

Dave is holding a fundraising quiz night at New Milton Rugby Club tonight at 7.30pm. Anyone with more fundraising suggestions or who wants to make a contribution can contact him on 01425 615299.

First published: November 11, 2005