Homebase trading director Andrew Carnie is set to lead a team racing to the South Pole to raise money for homeless charity Centrepoint.
Team Homebase will battle wind speeds of up to 80mph and -40C temperatures to travel 740km to their destination, and raise £250,000 for Centrepoint, which provides emergency accommodation and shelter for young people in London.

The team leave on December 15, and will spend 10 days acclimatising in Antarctica at the Russian base NOVO, before starting the race to the South Pole on New Year's Day. Dragging 75kg of food and equipment each day, they hope to reach their destination in around three weeks.

Mr Carnie said: "Centrepoint does an excellent job helping to protect some of the most vulnerable members of our society - homeless young people. It's worth doing everything we can to help make a difference."

He added: "Homebase has already kindly agreed to be a sponsor for my endeavour and colleagues have been very generous in their support and getting behind various events."

Mr Carnie's last fundraising effort before he leaves for the trip is 'The Big Text' on December 1. He is hoping people will contribute £3, to be shared between Centrepoint and Teenage Cancer Trust. To donate, text POLE12£3 to 70070.