British adventurers complete epic 5,000-kilometre expedition to Arctic

London - Two British adventurers, Robert McArthur and Poldy van Lynden, have completed their three month and 5,000-kilometre trek from London to the Arctic in support of UK Scouts. The due rowed into the harbour at Longyearbyen, the world’s most northerly inhabited settlement, after 81 days. They left London, on foot, on June 15. “I’m super proud of (this) outstanding achievement,” said UK Chief Scout Bear Grylls. “Using skills and human power alone Rob and Poldy have run, swam, cycled and rowed from Marble Arch to Svalbard in the Arctic Circle. They have travelled an incredible 5,000km. That’s simply an outstanding achievement. What I love most about this challenge is the example they are setting for Scouts everywhere - that if you put your mind to it you can achieve anything.” McArthur and Poldy crossed seven European borders to complete the challenge. The journey included: • 125km run - London to Dover. The equivalent of a marathon a day for three days. • 35km channel swim - Dover to Calais. The swim has been completed by just 2,000 people, fewer than the number who have climbed Everest. • 3,500km bike ride - Calais to Tromsø. They spent 12,000 minutes in the saddle as they cycled through five countries. • 950km row - Tromsø to Longyearbyen, Svalbard. The duo rowed for 21 days through three seas to reach their final destination. The two men hope to raise £100,000 for The Scout Association, the UK's biggest co-educational youth organisation. The funds raised will give young people from challenging communities the opportunities to develop skills to help them get the most out of life. It will be used to help expand Scouting into a further 500 areas of deprivation and under-representation across the UK. “The Scout Movement helps young people develop the skills and personal attributes they need to tackle life head on and win,” McArthur and van Leyden said after completing the challenge. “On this trip alone, we have had to demonstrate grit, determination, teamwork, resilience and a real sense of humour - all things that helped us succeed in reaching our goal and all things that we learnt from being Scouts.” The Scout Movement helps young people develop skills for life by offering six to 25-year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure, and the chance to help others so that they make a positive impact in communities. Jack Petchey Foundation, the charity arm of McArthur’s employer, has heavily supported the pair on their expedition. Sir Jack Petchey, the founder of the Petchey Foundation, was a Scout himself and has invested more than £100 million encouraging young people to be active and believe, “If you think you can, you can”. The pair also secured sponsorship from Musto, Fourth Cape, and Kilchoman. To find out about the expedition please go to Arch2Arctic To donate click here.