Well, the day has finally arrived and we are on our way to the airport. When we started out on this project, I had no idea how quickly this moment would arrive. There’s no turning back now and as we all travel to Heathrow there is a feeling of excitement and apprehension in equal measure. None of us know exactly what awaits us when we arrive in Finland and some of us would rther not think about it just yet! But, what cannot be doubted is that we’ve got this far and the first Westminster Challenge is underway. We need to sign off now as our phones and blackberries will not work where we are going – sounds like bliss already. See you in a week or so. Wish us luck.

I certainly hope that the navigator on our trip has a better sense of direction than my researcher. Omar took me from Islington to Epping forest via Stansted airport!

We were going to Epping so that I could practice sledding with dogs. All seemed a bit surreal I must say.

After we had been careering up and down the M11 for some time- well as much as a Prius ever careers- Omar was finally persuaded to ring for directions. He spoke to Richard, who with the others, had been waiting for us for some time.

“I can hear an awful lot of barking dogs in the background Emily. Are you really sure about this?”

Too late for second thoughts, I am committed to doing it and there is no backing out. So better just get on with it.

I have to confess to have had similar feelings of apprehension about the RAF training – and that was OK in the end.

As for the husky sledding – it was fantastic. You get the impression, quite falsely that you are going really fast. Maybe its because you are close to the ground. And when the sledge goes in the direction you want, or the dogs stop when asked, its quite astonishing.

The dogs are rather beautiful with thick thick fur and strange blue eyes. You are definitely aware of them being pack animals. When one barks, they all do. Equally when one runs, they all want to.

The other memorable thing about the afternoon was we met Victoria Riches. She is a deeply impressive woman who was part of the first all woman trek to the North Pole. No dogs. No back up vehicles. She is brave, single minded and positive. Her approach is pretty matter of fact and she was unfazed by even the most personal questions. And she is funny. I think being able to laugh at ourselves is going to be pretty important

I might have had second thoughts about setting up Westminster Challenge had someone told me that I would get shot (multiple times!) just three weeks before setting off for the Arctic. However, along with the 80 or so other willing victims who took part in the first Westminster Challenge paintball event on Saturday morning, we were all counting our bruises on Sunday. It was great fun though and I would like to say a big thank you to all of those who turned up to make it such a successful event. It was certainly a game of high adrenaline and excellent fun and it goes to show that when it comes to charity, there are all sorts of things you can do to help. Just by getting involved in a fun event like this one, you can assist the work of some great causes. So, I ask myself, what on Earth am I going to be asked to do next? Answers on a postcard….

Last time I wrote for this blog, we had three months to go. Now, we have three weeks! The time has flown by and before we know it, we will be in the Arctic. It is not the freezing weather (minus 40) or the sleeping in an igloo that worries me. It is not even the ice fishing or the endless hours of darkness during which we will try to negotiate one of Europe’s most inhospitable terrains. No, it is something much more intangible. Have we done enough? Here I have to pay tribute to the team who have pulled this project together who have done the most amazing job. But, there is always that nagging feeling that we could be doing more. That there might be something we have missed. A company that wants to sponsor us but that we have not reached. A politician who wants to support us, but doesn’t know how. It could be anything. And that is why we need everyones help. In three weeks, we can achieve a great deal. But, I know that given your help, we will achieve a great deal more. So, here is a challenge for everyone. Tell everyone you know about this expedition. Encourage all the business contacts you have to sponsor this unique challenge. Don’t sit on the sidelines. It’s time to become a part of the Westminster Challenge team – you don’t have to cross the Arctic, but you can do your own thing to make this happen. It’s up to you.

The RAF training session at Westminster Gym last Wednesday was a huge success. Flt Sgt Ruddy Farquason and Cpl Richard Dunning certainly put our MP team through their paces (!) but all were positive about the experience. It was a good opportunity to catch up with the team and for them to learn how to improve their training in these final weeks. Ruddy and Richard were also able to give an idea of the conditions that the team will face in the Arctic based on their own experiences in the region.

I do not normally ponder visits to the gym but on this occasion I was concerned. Waiting to test my fitness were Flt Sgt Ruddy Farquason and Cpl Richard Dunning from the RAF Physical Education team dispatched to Parliament to ensure we will have the stamina to trek across the artic. The first trial was more of a mental hurdle than physical, in that measurements were taken of our bodies reminding us just how unfit the lifestyle of an MP actually is.

A series of push and press ups confirmed this but the real challenge was the VO2 max test. This is an endurance test designed to measure your ability to replenish your blood with oxygen. It involves peddling on the cycle machine with the pressure increased every two minutes, the equivalent of cycling up a steeper and steeper hill without slowing down. This was 18 minutes of pure pain made all the worse by the very loud words of encouragement coming from the two RAF instructors!

I went to the gym thinking I was quite fit and departed thinking I need to visit more often. My thanks are due to the RAF instructors, they were both encouraging and honest about how much training I still need to do.

It’s great news that Tobias Ellwood, Emily Thornberry, Ed Vaizey, and Jenny Willott will be undertaking a fitness assessment with the RAF to make sure they’re in great shape for the Arctic.

Unfortunately, Nick Clegg MP is still trying to find a gap in his schedule that day…

I am trying to get in two sessions a week in the gym and 3 to 4 runs each week totalling about 25 miles in total. Doesn’t always work out due to the demands of life as a GP.

Today’s session is the toughie. Try to take Wednesday off from my work at the practice to concentrate on my University Distance Learning Course and fit in a run. Off down to the beach for a run in the sand dunes between Blackpool and St. Annes with my dog! 6 ½ miles up and down the dunes in soft sand is a real work out – believe me. But if we are going to have to get off the sleds and help the dogs when going uphill in snow am hoping it will be ideal training. Time will tell.

My dog just loves it. She is frantic to get out of the door and just cruises up the sand dunes and looks around at the top as if to ask, “What kept you”. Am sure the huskies will be even fitter. Hope they are just as friendly as Della, my boxer.

As the newest member of The Westminster Challenge team I have been overwhelmed with the level of public and private support for the organisation. People are genuinely enthusiastic about what we are trying to achieve and that in itself is inspiring. I work closely with Gareth and Katharine to coordinate corporate sponsorship and fundraising at our events. This sees me communicating daily with businesses and individuals in order to raise money through exciting and unusual events and opportunities and also to raise the general awareness of TWC. I believe that TWC will continue to grow and achieve our aim of bringing politics and charity together through the combined effort of the dedicated team at TWC and the support of our sponsors.

It is only 3 months until we go to the Arctic. Having spent last weekend in Finland, I now have a better idea of what cold actually means. I am frantically buying up stocks in scarfs, hats and other warm and comfortable clothing and am delighted that Praybourne, a premier supplier of thermal suits, has come on board to sponsor our mission. There is a great deal going on and again I’d like to thank everyone for their support. There is a quiz night taking place on Saturday and a reception hosted by Sir Simon Milton next Wednesday. We are still looking for more sponsors so let me know if you have any offers….