A TEAM of brave individuals took part in an arctic trek in Scandinavia raising thousands for a life-saving charity.

The group of 21, who travelled to Finland for the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, endured five days of challenges which included snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and husky sledding - all which tested stamina and endurance.

One of the artic trekkers was Earls Colne resident Cherry Mckean.

She has lived in the village for 16 years and is a director of the independent minimal waste store, Ecolnes Refillery, in High Street.

Being based so close to EHAAT’s airbase, she sees how often air ambulances take off from the airfield.

She said: “I know people in the village who have had to use the air ambulance and it’s just an amazing service we need to support in our community.

“I found out about the trek on my birthday in December.

“I saw the challenge and I thought wow. I had never experienced anything like that, and I felt it was really going to push me outside of my comfort zone.

“I also wanted to do something for me, so I thought why not?

“It was so easy to sign up and I really enjoyed the training, even though it was through January and February.

Halstead Gazette: LOOKING COOL: Cherry raised £3,200 from her arctic trek challengeLOOKING COOL: Cherry raised £3,200 from her arctic trek challenge (Image: EHAAT)

“I also really enjoyed planning and organising my fundraising events, and with the support of the amazing community in Earls Colne, I managed to raise £3,200.

“By far the best part of the trek - apart from the huskies, skiing, ice fishing, campfire dancing and beautiful Finland - was the people I had the pleasure to meet.

“I have made some amazing friendships, bonding through the many experiences we had, such as pulling each other out of the deep snow.

“This trek gave me such a buzz and I can’t wait for the next one.”

In total, the group raised £23,251 for the charity.

Head of income generation at EHAAT Emma Barker said: “What I love most about our treks is the way in which they bring people together.

“The atmosphere is supportive. We always send a representative from our charity to participate and to keep spirits high.

“The challenge element, integral to all our treks, is the very thing which bonds our trekkers and many of them form friendships for life.

“They are all amazing and every year they generate much-needed funds for the charity.

“We are so grateful to each and every one of them.”