A pair of intrepid charity workers are planning to battle some of the worst weather on earth to raise money for sick children.

Avril Mills, of High Street, Epping,  and her colleague Martin Bye are aiming to raise £8,000 by driving a pack of huskies across 156 miles from Norway to Sweden, in April next year.

If they succeed, the money will go to the Dream Factory, which was founded by Avril to grant wishes to children with life-limiting conditions.

Avril said: “We will be travelling the distance from London to Torquay in temperatures averaging minus 20 degrees. This is no ordinary charity challenge.

“This is a hands-on extreme wilderness challenge if ever there was one, especially as I don’t like the cold, I’m not a fan of dogs and haven’t got a clue how to put up a tent.”

Anybody wishing to support this challenge should visit http://www.justgiving.com/huskyartic