People's Postcode Lottery

All action ambassador for People’s Postcode Lottery

People’s Postcode Lottery charity Northumberland Wildlife Trust has started 2010 with the appointment of a new patron - explorer and businessman, Conrad Dickinson.

Not content with supporting the wildlife charity as a patron, action man Conrad has agreed to become the newest patron for People’s Postcode Lottery.

As a born and bred Northumbrian, who grew up in the countryside around the Roman Wall, Conrad has derived countless years of pleasure from the Region’s unique heritage of wildlife. He passionately believes that every individual should strive to both preserve and enhance what we have for future generations to enjoy.

When not running his Karpet Mills business in Kingston Park, Newcastle, Conrad enjoys nothing more than walking in some of the most inhospitable places on earth. He has been involved in cross country expeditions for over thirty years and become a permanent feature in the international record books with his enthusiasm for adventure.

He has shown his consuming passion for expeditions on treks to Greenland (four times), Iceland, Spitzbergan, Yukon (Mount Logan), Sierra Nevada, Siberia and Sweden.

Conrad’s most notable expedition to date was in the winter of 2004/5 as a member of a five person team, that included his wife, Hilary. They skied from the edge of the Antarctic continent to the South Pole un-supported in just 52 days, and then after re-supplying, kited all the way back to the start point in a record breaking 17 days. This 2,200 kilometre journey pulling sledges weighing 21 stone meant that Conrad had completed the longest ski journey ever in Antarctica by any Brit and was the first person to complete this return journey.

This expedition, dubbed by Explorers Web as “one of the cleanest and boldest” expeditions in Polar history, meant that Conrad had completed two of the three classic Polar expeditions.

In 2007 Conrad completed the "Polar Grand Slam" by skiing unsupported to the North Pole in 53 days, becoming the first Brit to do so.

Speaking of his appointment as Trust Patron, Conrad said: "I am thrilled and honoured to be asked to become more involved with Northumberland Wildlife Trust. During my Arctic and Antarctic expeditions I have seen the effect of climate changes on our environment and realize we must all get more involved to preserve and protect our fragile surroundings.

“We are making great steps forward, and I have personally enjoyed sightings of Otters, Barn Owls and Red kites in the last 12 months. By contrast I am saddened that when I stroll along the River Tipalt near Haltwhistle I no longer see the scores of water voles. It is only by embracing and involving as many people as possible that we can preserve our natural beauty in this changing world."

Mike Pratt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Chief Executive added: “Northumberland Wildlife Trust is delighted to have Conrad on board as a brilliant ambassador for wildlife and the environment; his exploits are an inspiration to everybody.”