During the 2008 South Pole Expedition for Kids, they will face temperatures between minus 40-60 C at an effective altitude of 12,000 feet, and burn anywhere from 8,000-10,000 calories per day while towing sleds that weigh 45 kilograms.

Team members include Peter Turkstra, Fred Losani, Mark MacLennan, Steven Perigord, Steve Stipsits, and expedition leader Doug Stoup.

When asked about the conditions of Antarctica, Peter said, “It’s the coldest, driest, most inhospitable place on Warth.”

Fellow team member Fred added, “This is going to be more extreme than anything we’ve ever experienced. It’s like running a marathon every day.”

This trip was inspired by their North Pole excursion in 2006 when they successfully raised half a million dollars for children’s charities. April Morganti, officer of innovation and partnership with the Hamilton-Wentworth Disctrict School Board said, “Thanks to their creativity, endurance and discipline, the Top of the World for Charity raised money to help more than 20 schools representing more than 9,000 inner city students with nutrition programs and access to the arts. Their unique and thoughtful approach to helping our students is truly admirable.”

Despite the harsh weather conditions and demanding physical requirements, the team is enthusiastic about using their trip as an opportunity to once again raise funds for local kids’ charities while educating children in the process.

“When you see children that are in need or not getting the type of care or education they require, obviously it strikes a chord,” said Fred.

“Being able to affect positive change reinforces your relationships with your own children. You like to see all children have good chances out there. Then we’re also able to combine it with a personal challenge and share it, educating children about what’s happening climactically, geographically or with wildlife in different parts of the world.”

The team’s goal is to match their 2006 success by raising half a million dollars for inner city schools. Funds will be put towards nutrition programs, music and the arts.

“We want to help out kids in our own backyard,” said Mark. More importantly, the team is funding the entire expedition with money from their own pockets.

“Every penny in is a penny out,” Steve emphasized.

The team has gone through a very rigid screening process of the charities that have applied for money to ensure that the funds raised are utilized properly.

“To date we had 35 inner city charities apply,” said Peter. “Not only did we make them apply, we made them fill out a very detailed questionnaire about where the money would be going and percentage of operating towards fundraising. We’ve given our commitment to anyone that donates that the funds will be put to good use. We’re very diligent and very aware that people trust us to make sure the money is well spent.”

Yet it’s easy to tell by the enthusiasm in their voices that the most exciting aspect of this fundraising initiative for the team is the Snowflake Campaign. This is a program they have developed in partnership with the local Public and Catholic School Boards for children that wish to raise money and help those in need in their community. Pioneer Petroleums has generously offered to match donations raised to recognize the value in teaching kids to help out other kids.

“Awards will be given out, but not on dollars reached, on creativity and fun,” Peter said.

“We’d like the kids themselves to be creative, and that’s why we’re going to try and make it fun rather than driven by the numbers. We believe in children, and feel that if given the chance, they’ll amaze you.”

The Newspaper in Education at the Hamilton Spectator has also developed a curriculum for students surrounding the South Pole Expedition for Kids. The team expects well over 100 classrooms to be watching. Children will be able to follow the team through video and audio feed broadcast, and call in to have their questions answered.

Shared reading activities will focus primarily on developing literacy skills, but children will also have the opportunity to learn about various aspects of social studies, geography, science, physical education and health.

“We’re teaching kids about ecology, global warming, and helping other citizens,” said Steve. “There’s something that children can learn about watching this kind of trip,” Peter included.

To support the 2008 South Pole Expedition for Kids, visit www.southpoleforkids.ca and download a donation form or contact the team personally. You can follow the team’s progress interactively on the website.