Dad calls on local community to support his NHS North Pole challenge

A father of two from Chichester is asking the local community to get behind him as he trains to take on one of the toughest marathons on Earth to support staff at his local hospital. 

Seth Wise, has signed up for The FVD North Pole Marathon to raise funds for three charities including Love Your Hospital, the dedicated charity of St Richard’s Hospital. 

Although the event has been postponed until 2022 due to the Covid pandemic, in the meantime, Seth has now launched a marathon challenge a bit closer to home aiming to run 26.2 miles at the Goodwood Motor Circuit this April. 

Seth, 38, said: “The North Pole may physically be out of reach in 2021, but we can certainly get there virtually. I can’t do it on my own and need the community’s help to cover the 4,200 miles which is the distance that separates the Goodwood Motor Circuit and the geographic North Pole.  

“This starts now and will lead me up to 13th April, the date I was due to run the North Pole Marathon.” 

For this virtual challenge, Seth is calling on keen walkers, runners and cyclists to help clock up the miles and the pounds to support his Arctic endeavour. 

Seth added: “Cover whatever distance you can over the coming weeks, then you can make a donation to my JustGiving page and leave a message to log the number of miles you’ve covered or are pledging to. 

“Every mile counts and every pound donated will make a difference to staff at our local hospital who have been so tested over the last year.” 

The North Pole Marathon, which first began in 2003, has seen 550 people from more than 50 nations complete the course. Competitors are essentially running on a piece of floating ice on top of the Arctic Ocean which is constantly shifting. 

Event organisers provide heated tents every 5km and draft in spotters to scan the horizon during the race in case of approaching polar bears. 

No stranger to extreme challenges, Seth has completed an Ironman Triathlon and pounded his way through 27 marathons to date with a personal best of 3 hours and 12 minutes. 

Seth said: “I am lucky enough to be married to an NHS hero and have seen first-hand the challenges that staff can face on a daily basis. It’s driven me to want to inspire my local community to come together and raise funds for Love Your Hospital, and raise wider awareness of how amazing the NHS is as an organisation.” 

David Clayton-Evans, Head of Charity for Love Your Hospital, said: “The challenge that Seth has set himself cannot be underestimated. This marathon takes place in one of the most remote areas on our planet and he is truly going above and beyond for staff as they do for our local community every day.”

We can’t thank him enough and we hope everyone will get behind him and play a part in helping Seth achieve this incredible feat of fundraising for St Richard’s Hospital.” 

To make a donation, click here.