Hurstpierpoint adventurer to take on Antarctic expedition

Josh Braid, from Hurstierpoint, will leave the UK this week to take on his long-planned challenge of climbing 4,892m high Vinson Massif in Antarctica and then pulling a specially made rockinghorse to the last degree to the South Pole.

The 39-year-old, who works for property company Knight Frank, has been planning his challenge for around ten years after being inspired by a similar trip that his Norwegian great uncle made to the South Pole in 1961.

The challenge is in aid of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity and Kidscape.

He will be away on his adventure for five weeks from December 13.

Josh has supported Rockinghorse since 2021 but became even more invested in the work of the charity last year when he and his wife Francesca welcomed their twin boys Matteo and Luca who needed care.

Josh has been planning the trip for ten years (Image: Josh Braid)

One was cared for in the special care baby unit at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton and the other underwent an operation.

It was during this time that he saw first-hand the work that Rockinghorse did and wanted to give even more back.

Bullying prevention strategy Kidscape is another charity that is close to his heart as he was bullied at school.

The challenge, which has been sponsored by Knight Frank, Dynamic Climate and London Metric, has required Josh to undertake a gruelling training regime to make sure he is physically fit enough to complete the course.

Josh is also being supported by the company Shackleton, which is organising the challenge, providing guides for the Mt Vinson climb and the last-degree ski along with some of the specialist kit, specifically designed for Polar regions.

Josh went on a polar expedition course in Norway (Image: Josh Braid)

"I started by pulling a tyre 170km along the South Downs 170km in 2021 to test myself,” he said.

“Then the following year, I went on a polar expedition course in Norway, before pulling a tyre 50km in a day in September. Apart from running, cycling and regularly pulling a tyre, I am also doing HIIT sessions at the Altitude Centre as well as personal training sessions to strengthen and condition my body for Antarctica.

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"I am really looking forward to going but will be bittersweet to leave behind my wife and four children. There hasn’t been too much time to reflect on the expedition apart from putting all my energy into getting to the start line around juggling everyday life."

Josh will head to the Antarctic this week (Image: Josh Braid)

There’s still time to support Josh’s fundraising at givestar.io/gs/joshs-expedition-to-climb-mt-vinson-and-pull-a-rocking-horse-to-the-south-pole

Along with training, sorting his kit, coordinating with Rockinghorse and Kidscape, and various fundraising events, Josh has also been visiting schools to talk about his expedition in the hope of inspiring children to take on their own adventures.

"I feel that I have a responsibility to share this challenge with young people to hopefully inspire them to fulfil their own passion whether this is art, music, adventure, or sport."

He has so far managed to raise more than £26,000 of his £50,000 target.