Shellie Taylor-Joyce swapped her text books in the West Midlands for the sub-zero temperatures of the Arctic during Easter – all in the name of John Taylor Hospice. Together with four friends, the 44-year-old teaching assistant from Castle Vale endured cold winds and treacherous trails to travel by dog sled from Oteren in Norway to Jukkasjärvi in Sweden – a distance of more than 250km.
Now back at her Castle Vale home, Shellie reflected on the challenge of a lifetime, the money they have raised and where the idea came from. “We’re an adventurous bunch,” she said. “As a group we’ve done lots of fundraising for John Taylor Hospice before, usually involving climbing big mountains or walking long distances. “And we all love dogs, so that’s where dog sledding came in – I had visions of sitting in a cosy sled and chilling out all day, taking in the scenery as we meandered along.”
Shellie, who was new to dog sledding, discovered a very different reality when she arrived in Norway on 25 March. “The only chilling that went on was the cold winds on my face,” laughed Shellie. “The front of our sleds was for our equipment – mainly sleeping bags, food and water. We would stand on the back of our sleds for up to seven hours a day.” And it wasn’t all smooth snowy landscapes for the group; there were many forests, dips and sharp turns.
“It was like being on a rollercoaster and I really don’t like rollercoasters,” said Shellie. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” Shellie had the support of team members Sam and Michelle, who are also from Castle Vale, and Janine and Karen from Water Orton. The group’s self-funded challenge took them over frozen rivers and lakes, through untouched forests and over steep mountain passes on a week-long journey.
“Dog sledding is a very classic way to experience Arctic nature,” said Shellie. “Camping under the stars, venturing out into the mountains with mist blowing towards us and glistening white snow all around – moments that like brought me to tears because it was so beautiful.”
The group travelled in single file with a kilometre between the leader and the last sled. Shellie explained the importance of knowing the number one rule of dog sledding. “Anchor your sled to the ground the second you get off it,” she said. “Otherwise, the dogs will run off ahead to the leader and that means you’re walking.” Shellie and her friends took on this challenge because of the strong connection they feel with John Taylor Hospice.
“We’ve all lost loved ones and friends to cancer,” said Shellie. “What they do at John Taylor Hospice is amazing – their staff and volunteers play such an important role in so many people’s lives, every day. “It’s a place where the very best care comes before everything else, and you just never know when someone you know is going to need them. Knowing they’re on our doorstep and they’re not going anywhere gives me peace of mind.”
Natalie Mayo, community and corporate development manager at John Taylor Hospice, said: “Huge congratulations to Shellie and the team on their Arctic challenge – we’re delighted it was such a success. “To have five local people going to the ends of the earth to raise money for the hospice speaks volumes of the support that is felt across our community.
