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 Helen Goodwin, of Maldon, who had a more personal reason for taking part in the trek.

She said: “As one of the patient and family liaison team at EHAAT I meet and speak to people who have been directly helped by our crews.

“I know that bringing the hospital to the patient makes such a big difference.

“Prior to the trip I managed to raise more than £4,500, mainly by doing CPR and AED training to people in the communities of Maldon, Goldhanger, Totham, Wickham Bishops and Tiptree.

“Not only were they great fundraising opportunities, but they gave people the confidence to use defibrillators, and start bystander CPR - things that make the difference and are key for the chain of survival.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: LOOKING COOL: Trekkers Charlotte Evans and Helen GoodwinLOOKING COOL: Trekkers Charlotte Evans and Helen Goodwin (Image: EHAAT)

“I regularly walk 10k steps a day and have done fundraising treks previously, but the six to seven hours a day snowshoeing in knee-deep powder snow really was a true physical test - one we got through together as a team.

“Yet, the biggest things I got out of the trek personally were, fulfilling my ambition to see the Aurora Borealis, and experiencing the peaceful silence in the Arctic Circle.”

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.”