AN intrepid Bromsgrove police officer is trekking to the North Pole to raise cash to help sick children.

PC Darren Ariss will be competing in the Polar Challenge in April.

He hopes to raise £20,000 for the Society of Parents of Children with Cancer.

Darren chose the charity because the daughter of a rugby teammate, Jasmine Shaw, is being treated for leukaemia at Birmingham Children's Hospital. Jasmine's mum, Sharon, works for social services in Bromsgrove.

Darren and his teammate, Tommy Dalman, who is also in his rugby team, will set off from Resolute Bay, Canada, and face a 60-mile walk just to get to the start line.

From there they will ski, pulling 100lb sledges in a race to the magnetic North Pole. They will be covering a distance of 350 nautical miles through some of the most hostile country in the world.

There will be 24-hour daylight at that time of year, but temperatures will be as low as -35, which could reach as low as -65 with the wind-chill. This means they will be battling the dangers of hypothermia and frostbite.

Darren, aged 35, said: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will push the competitors to the absolute limit, both mentally and physically. To put it in perspective more people have climbed Mount Everest than been to either of the poles."

Darren said in the New Year he and his teammate will be stepping up endurance work, training for many hours at a time to obtain the required fitness to undertake the challenge. Trips are also planned to Austria and Norway in preparation for the Arctic.

Darren and Tommy have so far raised £15,000 and want to reach a total of £20,000 for the Society of Parents of Children with Cancer (SPOCC).

Any individuals or organisations who want to sponsor the team should contact Darren on 07818 606553 or email him on darren.ariss@westmercia.pnn.police.uk