GWENT property auctioneer Paul Fosh is training for another gruelling Arctic adventure after handing £7,000 to a UK cancer charity after completing one earlier this year.

Paul, aged 49, of Paul Fosh Auctions, Newport, completed the Likeys 6633 Ultra in March this year in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support after completing a part of his training in a Monmouth pasty shop’s deep freeze.

Now, after donating the sponsorship money raised to Macmillan Cancer Support, Paul has revealed he is now in training for the Yukon Arctic Ultra in Northern Canada, reputed to be the world’s coldest Ultra.

Starting on 4th February next year from Whitehorse on the banks of the frozen Yukon River in Canada, the foot race covers over 300 miles of the bleakest terrain on earth finishing in Dawson City. Similar to the Likeys 6633 competitors have to haul all their equipment on a sled. Unlike that ultra the sled is on the snow and not wheels. Temperatures can plunge to minus 40 degrees centigrade.

Paul, a father of four who lives in Monmouth, said: “I got a real taste for the outdoors on the Likeys Ultra. Afterwards I was not looking to complete a similar event but now after some thought I have come round to the idea once more. “

“I’m really looking forward to reacquainting myself with the utter remoteness, stillness and beauty of the Yukon area of Northern Canada and also getting back in touch with my faithful pulk (sled) affectionately named Jack Frost. I already have all the specialist clothes and equipment that I need so I might just as well put it all to very good use once more.

“This time I will again be seeking to raise funds for a charity which will most likely be one that deals with homelessness of some sort – the more local the better. I am speaking with Llamau, a brilliant homeless charity working with young homeless people in south Wales.

Paul, who is an admirer of UK bushcraft expert Ray Mears, says he will have to complete survival training ahead of taking part in the latest race and admits it will be much more of a physical struggle this time hauling the sled through snow and ice.

Handing the cheque from his latest venture to Julia Shaw, of Macmillan Cancer Support, Paul said: “I was delighted to be able to raise this money for such a good cause. It was the thought that I was supporting Macmillan was the spur I needed at some points along the way in the Likeys 6633 that kept me going.”

Julia Shaw, fundraising manager for Gwent said: “Macmillan Cancer Support offers financial, medical, practical and emotional support to those who need our help. We want to try and ensure that no one faces cancer alone but the only way we can do this is by great people like Paul fundraising for us.

“The phenomenally gruelling challenge he took on for us was inspirational and not one that we have received fundraising from in our local area before. The amount he raised was fantastic. Huge congratulations and thanks to Paul, we at Macmillan think you’re amazing.”

Paul was one of just eight people to finish the 350-mile, eight day Likeys 6633 Ultra marathon 2015 from a field of 29 entrants drawn from 11 different countries.

Paul received a special trophy from the organisers Likeys for his ‘meticulous preparation and execution’.

The Likeys 6633 Ultra, a non stop self sufficient foot race that crosses the line of the Arctic Circle and continues on the banks of the of the Arctic Ocean at Tuktoyaktuk, has been staged six times in the past with just 11 managing to complete the gruelling course over that time.