NEC Harlequins are lending their support to a woman who is aiming to raise £300,000 for the Orchid Cancel Appeal through the British Women's Antarctic Expedition.

Susan Denham-Smith will attempt to ski solo and unsupported across Antarctica via the South Pole in the Antarctic summer of 2002-03.

Should she succeed, Susan will set or break three world records.

Solo

She will be the first female to cross Antarctica solo; the trip will be the longest ever solo, unsupported journey across Antarctica by a woman; and Susan will be the first woman ever to ski solo from the coast to the South Pole.

Throughout the expedition, Susan will be pulling a sledge carrying weight equivalent to that of a professional rugby player.

To highlight the strength this requires, Susan will pull NEC Harlequins' Jason Leonard in her sledge around Hampton Junior School today at 3.30pm.

She will repeat the stunt at half-time of Quins Zurich Premiership game against Sale Sharks at the Stoop tomorrow.

December 3, 2001 17:30