Donated money is spent on new equipment, facilities to make treatment more comfortable for both patients and carers and research into methods of managing and monitoring leukaemia and related blood diseases carried out at the hospital.
Arctic Challenge
We travelled through the night to Heathrow and then caught an early morning to flight to Stockholm. We had quite a wait in Stockholm for our connecting flight to Ostersund. We killed time by eating (lots!) and checking out the shops. I think the most memorable thing about Stockholm airport was discovering that Nobby had bought a Swedish chocolate bar called "Plopp". This was to be the subject of much amusement through the week.
We finally arrived in Ostersund mid-afternoon on Saturday where we were met by our Swedish contact, Hans. A short bus journey later, we were at our base in Raftlaven. It was a very basic cabin, in the middle of the woods, in the middle of nowhere. A perfect setting for one of the Friday the 13th films!
The cabin itself had beds, an open fire, living area and a basic kitchen. The rest of the day was spent acclimatising and trying our hand at cross country skiing - or cross country falling over in my case!
The first proper day in our new home was spent cross country skiing and beginning to build our snowhole. After a hearty breakfast we set out on a ski. By this time I had managed to find my feet, which was good as it meant I could enjoy the fantastic scenery. It was like being in a winter wonderland. We found a fantastic snow mound along the route and spent an hour or so perfecting our Eddie the Eagle impressions. The temperature was around -20c and I remember thinking to myself that it didn't feel that cold...I was to regret thinking that later in the week!
The afternoon and evening were spent digging out our snowhole. The basic idea was to pile up a huge mound of snow then dig it out, thus making an igloo style home. Boy, it was hardwork!
The evening was spent eating spag bol (nice work Bethan and Spence!) and telling stories. I think this is where the "cabin fever" began to set in and where we all began to start beat boxing to the theme tune of the tv show Rainbow! I think you had to be there...
More information is available from Exeter Leukaemia Fund on (01392) 493344.
Release date: 2 February 2007