Walsall Firm Supports Charity Arctic Rugby Challenge

Walsall, West Midlands, March 16, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Lion Containers Ltd supply shipping containers for general storage and also for bespoke conversion projects. They have supplied various sports clubs with containers for equipment storage, as well as changing room facilities, offices and canteen container conversions. The firm are also experts in event container conversions; and have worked with the Glasgow Commonwealth Games committee, local councils, music festivals and education establishments to provide various bespoke projects. Sophie Day, Marketing Manager said “the challenge and fundraising goal that Stephen is setting himself is awe-inspiring, we have worked very closely with various different rugby clubs, are fans of the game and are aware of Wooden Spoon’s amazing work. Therefore, we just could not turn down the chance to sponsor Stephen, and we wish him all the luck in the world”.

Stephen from Bicester in Oxfordshire, will set out in April this year with two teams of rugby fans and former players, and they will trek through temperatures that will dip below -30 degrees. As if that isn’t taxing enough, when they get to the 1996 position of the Magnetic North Pole, Stephen will take part in a full 7-a-side rugby match. Stephen is also aiming to personally raise over £25,000 for Wooden Spoon, which is the perfect motivation for such an arduous challenge. The teams will be led by former Rugby Union Internationals, Tim Stimpson (England and Leicester Tigers) and Ollie Phillips (England 7s and Gloucester winger). Former England and British Lions player, Lee Mears will be the match referee. 

The Arctic is a completely unknown environment for me so I can't even begin to imagine how I will react to being in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. We've been told everyone experiences 'Polar shock' when they first arrive, so I'm definitely expecting it to push my limits, but I'm really looking forward to it and determined to finish and help set this world record.

Stephen Henry, Mr

The Arctic Rugby Challengers are currently training to be fit for the challenge, and the teams are being coached by polar adventurer Jock Wishart. The squad leaves the UK in April for Resolute in northern Arctic Canada, where they will undergo final Arctic Orientation training. They will then fly to the start of a seven day 100 mile. On the subject of training, Stephen commented that “I have been training hard to prepare, and we have had special sessions to learn all we need to survive the harsh conditions we’ll face. I’m not too concerned about the trekking side, but it is a little bit worrying being so far from help. Rugby is an amazing sport which suits all kinds of individuals, but also teaches you the importance of team work.

The charity Stephen will be fundraising for is Wooden Spoon, it is the UK’s leading grant-making charity dedicated to helping disadvantaged children and young people through rugby. They are one of the country’ largest funders of respite and medical treatment centres, sensory rooms, specialist playgrounds, sports activity areas, sports activity areas and community based programmes in the UK. Barry Monahan of Wooden Spoon said “we are really delighted Stephen has committed to helping Wooden Spoon in this huge fundraising challenge Wooden Spoon is the UK’s leading grant-making charity dedicated to helping disadvantaged children and young people through the power of rugby“

Donate to Stephen Henry: http://www.justgiving.com/ArcticRugbySteve
Wooden Spoon Website: http://www.woodenspoon.org.uk
Arctic Challenge Website:  http://www.arcticrugbychallenge.org