Businessman devoting year of his life to helping others

Geoff Major, 49, aims to raise £100,000 to benefit 10 charities, including Yorkshire-based Heart Research UK, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Yorkshire Cancer Research, the Jane Tomlinson Appeal and Candlelighters.

He is raising money for national charities with local ties as well as charities based in the Yorkshire area.

Mr Major, of Rothwell, near Leeds, has yet to learn to ski but has been training by dragging 29 kilos (64lb) of car tyres around his local park.

He said: “My family are absolutely fine about it. My girlfriend thinks I’m crazy, as do my clients, but at the end of the day I’m not doing a 10k run. I’m doing something that is unique and that I will never do again.”

His adventure is due to begin in April next year. It will involve a small number of fundraisers and professionals walking nine miles a day for eight days while hauling a sled weighing around 30 kilos.

He said: “I’m looking forward to it now. I’m committed to it but a few weeks ago it really hit me how serious this is going to be.

“But the charities have a very special place in my life.”

By the time he take to the snow and ice he will be almost 51 but he is not letting anything stand in his way.

“I’ve committed myself to raising a huge amount of money for charity, even though I’ll be almost 51 and cannot currently ski.”

Mr Major runs his own firm, BlueDucks consultancy, which has invested the £25,000 that it will cost the father-of-two to participate in the Polar challenge so that every penny he raises will go to his nominated charities.

“BlueDucks Limited has given money to good causes and worthy individuals for many years, but I wanted to do more than simply write a cheque.”

Organisers of the event are Charity Challenge, which works with organisations such as Comic Relief.

Mr Major hopes to persuade 2000 businesses to donate £50 each and work with partners to encourage another 100,000 people to donate £1 each.

To follow his progress or make a donation go to the Virgin Money Giving website and type in his name.