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Challenging the Extreme
The Commando Joe team
The Commando Joe team
Last updated: 02 December 2004 1301 GMT
lineGloucestershireÂ’s very own 'Action Man' Charlie Martell is planning to take on some really tough challenges over the next three years...
See also

An interview with Charlie Martell

An interview with Adrian Bell

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Charlie Martell

Charlie is part of the Commando Joe team - a group of men whose objective is to take on some of the world's most extreme challenges to raise money for the Meningitis Trust.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the brain lining which can cause serious disability or death and its symptoms can appear flu-like.

The team have chosen to support the Gloucestershire based charity for a reason - team member Pete Rowlands lost his son to the disease in 2003. For Pete, his wife Helen and daughter Sian, the Meningitis Trust has provided much-needed help and support.

The group's desire to 'challenge the extreme' has resulted in them lining up a gruelling series of challenges over the next three years to raise awareness about the disease and money for the charity.

Polar Challenge

In 2005, Charlie Martell and Steve Clewley will be heading to the Arctic to take part in the Polar Challenge. This is a competitive team race to the 1996 location of the Magnetic North Pole
and beyond, with the finish line at the deserted Isachsen salt mine.

Arctic scene

Events do not come much harder than skiing and walking 320 miles, carrying all your supplies behind you on a 90kg sled and experiencing a harsh environment where temperatures can get as low as -40°C.

The region is also home to around 80% of the world's polar bears, and they're regarded as one of the most dangerous creatures you could meet!

The team for this challenge includes Gloucestershire's Charlie Martell and Steve Crawley, and they'll start the Polar Challenge on April 22nd 2005.

Atlantic Challenge

In 2006 the Commando Joe team will take on the Atlantic Challenge - crossing the 2,800 nautical miles of the North Atlantic rowing route. This challenge will involve four men spending more than 40 days in a specially designed 36ft rowing boat.

The team in training

The Challenge will start from from the North American Coastline in summer 2006 and finish in Plymouth, England. The team could well be facing some seriously extreme conditions as they make their way across the ocean - cold temperatures, fog and icebergs as well as fierce storms are all common in this area.

The Commando Joe team for this challenge includes Charlie, Pete Rowlands, Mark Waterson and Angus MacMillian.

An example of how dangerous the route can be came in summer 2004 when a four-man attempt on the 55 day rowing record ended in failure after a freak 60ft wave destroyed their boat. Thankfully, all four were rescued.

Beside raising money for the Meningitis Trust, the team will also be aiming to break that 55 day record which was set by Tom McClean in 1987.

Crossing the desert

The final challenge will take place in 2007 with Charlie Martell taking on the task of the Marathon des Sables, or Sahara Desert race.

Sahara desert

It's known as the toughest footrace on earth because Charlie will have to cover 151 miles over six days – that's equivalent to five-and-a-half regular marathons! He will also have to carry everything he will need for the duration of the challenge in a rucksack.

In addition to this Charlie will also face the searing desert heat where midday temperatures can reach up to 48°C. He will be taking on this challenge sometime in 2007.

Sponsorship

If you want to sponsor Commando Joe for any of the extreme challenges they're undertaking, please check out their for details.

We'll be following Commando Joe as they prepare for and undertake the series of extreme challenges - keep checking for updates!

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