ARCTIC Ultra Marathon man, Newport-based property auctioneer Paul Fosh, is ratcheting up his efforts in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for a leading cancer charity.

Paul, managing director of Paul Fosh Auctions, is competing in The Likeys 6633 Ultra 2015 Arctic Ultra which takes place in March next year.

Paul has set his sights on completing the gruelling 120 or the 350 mile challenge to raise £15,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

He is staging a fundraising lunch and charity auction of Friday, October 31, at the SWALEC Stadium, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, with guest speaker Wales super athlete Lowri Morgan, who is a presenter on ITV and S4C, was the only person to complete the Ultra 6633 event when she entered in 2011.

Among the range of items up for auction at the lunch is a Hardwick at Home meal for eight from celebrity chef Stephen Terry’s restaurant The Hardwick at Abergavenny.

Paul said: “I’m delighted to be able to offer for auction the Hardwick at Home meal for eight item as part of the charity auction.

“I’m equally pleased to be able to welcome Lowri to give some valuable insights into what it takes to complete an Ultra Event and also, no doubt, leave me with a great deal of matters to ponder as I continue my training for the event.”

A keen runner and general outdoor sportsperson Paul, a married father to four, aged 48, and who lives in Monmouth, has signed up for what the organisers, Likeys of Brecon, describe on their website as 'quite possibly the toughest race of its kind on the planet'.

Paul said: “I will be one of just 25 people taking part in the challenge which will see me cover at least 120 miles in the Yukon, northern Canada, almost entirely within the Arctic Circle pulling all the equipment I need on a sled, or ‘pulk’.

“To give an idea of the enormity of the challenge, the event has been run on six occasions and in that time only eleven people have completed it.

“I’ll be raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. If I successfully complete the 120 mile challenge then I will have to decide whether I am able to push on to try for the 350 mile distance. “

Paul’s main sponsors for the charity event are HSJ Accountants, Quality Solicitors Rubin Lewis O’Brien, Paul Fosh Auctions, Rightmove/Agent’s Giving and Auction Finance.

To donate visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/PaulFosh and for details on the event visit http://6633ultra.com/