Businessmen hope to find sun shining on fundraising ride

Ian McIntosh, of AAK UK Ltd, and Tim Wade, managing director of Miles Kingsport, are heading to Nordkapp in Norway to raise money for Dove House Hospice's Love You 2 appeal.

The duo, who are funding the trip themselves, are raising sponsorship to help with a campaign to raise 2.5m to fund the redevelopment of the hospice by autumn 2012.

They will take in some spectacular scenery along the way to their destination – the most northerly point reachable by road in Europe.

The Nordkapp is a cliff 1,000ft (300m) high and as the pair will be north of the Arctic Circle, they will be travelling under the midnight sun.

Mr McIntosh, who is also chairman of economic development company Hull Forward, said: "It's been on my mind for a long time to do this trip and I have already ridden to many places.

"A previous trip in 2004, to the Arctic Circle going up through Sweden and back down the Norwegian coast, fired the imagination regarding going all the way to the top.

"It's got to be done, and helping the Love You 2 appeal reach its target will really make this the challenge of a lifetime."

They plan to return to Hull on Saturday July 10.

Mr McIntosh said: "We plan to ride up the coast of Norway to the Nordkapp and then turn south through Finland and Sweden.

"The terrain through these northern areas is very remote and we will carry some reserve fuel for the trip across Lapland.

"Our return route brings us through Denmark, Germany and Holland before finally arriving at Europort for the ferry home."

Mr Wade added: "Getting the Rotterdam ferry direct into Hull sounds like a great idea after more than 4,000 miles of riding. It means we will be just minutes from home and avoids a long and unadventurous ride back up through England."

The pair will provide internet updates at http://ride-to-the-nordkapp.blogspot.com.

Pauline Speed, manager of the Love You 2 appeal, said: "We really appreciate the support that Ian and his company are giving to the appeal and wish him and Tim a safe and exciting journey."