DUDLEY’S Mayor is urging people to support her chauffer as he swaps civic duty for snow drifts to raise charity cash.

During March Dudley Council’s Mayoral attendant, Mike Crannage, will be battling driving winds and temperatures of minus 30 degrees celsius for a 125-mile hike through the frozen wastelands of the Arctic.

Mike is taking on the challenge to fundraise for Mayor of Dudley, cllr Pat Martin’s chosen charities, Dudley Stroke Association, Dudley Mind and The Open Stage Learning Group, which aims to help people with learning disabilities perform on stage.

Cllr Martin said: “Mike is working so hard to prepare for the trip, but he needs people to sponsor him.

“It is a very difficult time but these charities need funding all year round to continue the excellent work they do.”

Mike will be part of a group of adventurers but will have to lead his own team of huskies through the snow and ice covering 24 miles a day.

He is due to set off from Gargia, Norway, on Tuesday March 9 and aims to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Intrepid Mike, aged 51, from Dudley, said: “The training has been going very well and I am just really looking forward to the trek now.

“I just need people to give people what they can in sponsorship.”

To sponsor Mike call 07799 070079 or email mike.crannage@dudley.gov.uk People can also get information and sponsor him via his website at www.arctic-challenge.webeden.co.uk