HASLEMERE student Emily Russell has set herself a 155-mile Arctic challenge in a bid to raise £100,000 for Surrey charity Make a Wish.

The former St Ives’ pupil, now in her first year at Loughborough University, is one of 30 fellow students who have teamed up to raise money through Loughborough’s five-day DARE expedition by dog sled across the Arctic Circle, in March.

Each student has to raise at least £3,050 to hit the £100,000 total in aid of the charity’s work to enrich the lives of young people living with life-threatening diseases aged from three to 17.

Emily said: “Make a Wish is an important charity to me as it granted a wish to one of my good friends when she was dealing with a life-threatening disease.

“It’s been quite a task fundraising £3,050 in less than a year but I am enjoying it.

“So far I have done a couple of bucket collections, one dressed up as a banana, and I have a student Mega Raid collection coming up in London at the start of February.

“I have also spoken to a few companies selling Arctic clothing and I am currently waiting to see if I can be sponsored by any of them on my trip.

“I am putting together some quiz night-type evening events and may hold some sporting fundraiser days.

“There is no specific team training prior to departure. It is our responsibility to get fit for the expedition.

“To do this I play lacrosse for the university and I attend regular strength sessions.

“When we arrive in Norway, we will be trained on how to control the huskies and how to steer the sled.

“We will also be taught how to dig out snow in order to pitch a tent as well as how to make holes in the ice for drinking water.”

• To make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/Emily-Russell6