Trekkers endure freezing conditions for the Royal British Legion

They were members of the DHL Team who took part in the Royal British Legion Arctic Survival Challenge.

Together, the duo have raised over £6,000 for the veterans charity, contributing to the current total of £34,706 raised so far by the 13-strong DHL Supply Chain team.

Richard, who served six years in the army, was joined by 12 DHL colleagues, including fellow Rotherham resident Sean.

To fundraise for the Legion, Sean climbed Ben Nevis, while Richard did a sponsored hair and beard shave.

The Survival Challenge saw them travelling to northern Sweden — just 150km outside the Arctic Circle — where they spent eight days testing their ability to adapt to the harsh environment and freezing cold temperatures reaching minus 23 deg C.

They tried cross-country skiing, husky sledding and a 70km snowmobile safari, while learning life-saving skills like ice fishing and fire lighting.

Fuelled by ration packs, the team worked together to build shelters and spent their nights taking turns to candle watch, while making sure there was sufficient oxygen in their snow holes.

Richard said: “It felt great to challenge myself and do something different and exciting, especially since I’ve been quite withdrawn since leaving the armed forces.

“Being part of the DHL Arctic Survival team helped me to change that.”

Sean also served in the army for five years and saw active service in the Gulf War.

He said: “The legion is very close to my heart, and so I was delighted to be a part of the Arctic Challenge team and raise money to help support ex-servicemen and women and their families in their times of need.”