A STUDENT is trekking 150 miles across the Arctic in -40C temperatures to raise money for poorly children.

Ashleigh Mayes, 22, has never even been skiing before, but she has decided to take up the daring challenge for the Make a Wish Foundation.

For just over a week she will be drilling ice for fresh water, living in tents and working alongside huskies.

The Loughborough University student has put herself on a calorie-controlled diet and started running.

But she won’t be able to undertake any serious training until she arrives in Norway in March.

Ashleigh, of Abbey Path, Laindon, said: “Loughborough is the biggest university in the UK for fundraising and the Arctic trip just sounded like something I couldn’t do anywhere else.

“I have never even been skiing so I’m dreading what it’s going to be like.

“The temperature is going to be between -30C and -40C and we start from northern Norway all the way up to the Russian border.

“It’s pretty much sleeping in tents, making our own fires and when we have no water left we will have to drill into the ice for it.

“But we can’t do any training until we get to Norway, when we will do half a day before setting off.”

Ashleigh has paid for her £400 flight so all the money she raises goes towards the charity.

So far she has raised £600, but she wants to top £3,000 by the time she flies out in March.

Part of her fundraising for sponsorship will include making bacon butties for her fellow university students when they sit their exams in January.

Ashleigh, who is studying biological psychology, said: “I’ve also been given permission from London Underground to get geared up in fancy dress and raise money at certain tube stations.

“There are so many deserving charities out there, but Make a Wish really connected with me when I find out exactly how it helps those children.”

Make a Wish Foundation grants wishes to children and young people aged between three and 17 living with lifethreatening illnesses.

To sponsor Ashleigh go to justgiving.com/ashleigh blueformakeawish