ONE woman is taking on an Arctic survival trek, raising thousands for Bolton Hospice.

A fearless businesswoman is pushing herself to the limits, skiing cross country, ice fishing for food, and building shelters in Arctic conditions for a week with an expedition team, all to raise awareness for Bolton Hospice.

Joanna Dyke, a director of Lostock skip hire, set out on her journey on Sunday, heading to the Swedish wilderness to train with experts in getting around, finding food, lighting fires and building shelters.

Yesterday, just two days into the trip, the group found themselves snowshoeing, following tracks through the forest and along a frozen riven.

Later in the week, Ms Dyke will be putting those newfound skills to the test with a three-day survival phase in the Arctic Circle.

The expedition team will build a snow hole to sleep in, braving subzero temperatures to tunnel underground with spades and ice axes.

The team will have take it in turns to stay up throughout the night to keep 'candle watch', to make sure that enough oxygen is present inside the snow hole.

Ms Dyke has raised more than £5,100 so far — smashing her £4,000 target.

Ms Dyke said on her donation page: "Some may think I'm crazy, and unable to live without luxuries, wine and work for eight days, but I have wanted to complete a challenge for the hospice for some time.

"The hospice carry out such amazing work and rely on donations to keep delivering such a fantastic standard of care to not only their patients but also their families."

The Artic Challenge is one of many challenges promoted by the hospice, encouraging individuals and groups to challenge themselves in the name of charity. Ms Dyke will return from her challenge on Sunday. To donate, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/joanna-dyke3.