Snow stranger to the Arctic!

A brave and relentless Cork adventurer has completed his 26th trek in the Arctic, raising thousands for charity in the process.

Anthony Galvin, who works as a children’s entertainer and magician, raised a whopping €71,200 for Sightsavers, an international charity which provides sight saving surgeries in developing countries.

The total is expected to get close to €80,000 when all money raised is in and counted.

Mr Galvin was one of a group of 11 trekkers to brave the dangerous and harsh Arctic environment. The group was guided by Sinead Pollock-Orr from Innishannon.

The 11, from all parts of Ireland, were based in Kilpisjarvi, a tiny village at the very top of Finland, several hundred kilometres above the Arctic Circle. Temperatures dropped to minus 23 on some days.

The group trekked between 10 and 14km a day on snowshoes and cross country skis, pulling sleds of gear behind them.

On the final excursion, the group slept in the wilderness, and welcomed the dawn, after six weeks of polar night, from the Lapish fells.

“It was gruelling, but great craic,” said Mr Galvin, who recently underwent hip replacement surgery.

“The scenery was incredible, especially the sky as the sun came close to the horizon. Gorgeous sunrises and clouds with every colour of the rainbow. And a beautiful silence, aside from the sound of our skis crunching the snow.

“The snow was often thigh deep, which was challenging. But we learned new skills, and when spirits flagged, the comradery kept us going,” he added.

Donations are still being accepted for the campaign. Visit sightsaversie.enthuse.com to donate.