FULFILLING a childhood ambition and raising money for charity by travelling to the Antarctica and kayaking between icebergs has been no easy task for Kevin Wright.

But cruising alongside humpback whales and meeting friendly penguin along the way made it all worth it for the Hilperton grandfather, who has raised more than £1,500 for Help for Heroes. 

The 58-year-old of Church Street, has just returned from the three week challenge with his brother Gary, 56, who lives in Perth, Australia, during which time they kayaked between icebergs in a place dubbed the ‘grave yard’.

“It is known as the ‘grave yard’ because it contains probably a hundred icebergs that drifted in, with nowhere to escape to,” Mr Wright said.  

“Some of these icebergs were 100ft tall and they were all magnificent in stature, shape and colour. We were truly spoilt to have this place all to ourselves and we kayaked for the next three hours.”

Joining them on the journey was teddy bear Socks, owned by Mr Wright’s three grandchildren Wilf, 10, Frank, seven, and Ned, four, who live in Freshford, and Sock did not escape the cold as he also had to camp in the snow.

Mr Wright added: “We left our ship’s bunks early to catch our first glimpse of the most remote and hostile place on earth.

“We camped on the ice and bivouacked one night, clearing the snow in the morning as it entered the bag when unzipped. We also kayaked, snow-shoed, climbed a glacier and a mountain, crossed crevasses and of course spent time with the incredible wild life.

“We were so close to whales that they rolled against the inflatable rubber sides of the boats, raising their heads to give us eye contact. Everything was so exciting we didn't want to sleep at night.”

The Wright brothers are less than £500 from reaching their target amount for Help for Heroes. To donate, visit www.bmycharity.com/KevinWright