PAKISTANI WOMAN REACHS THE NORTH POLE
(25 April 2004)

Londoner, Anoushka Kachelo, 24, is thought to have become the youngest woman, and first Pakistani, to walk the last degree to the North Pole. After eight days of hauling over 55 kilos across about 50 miles of the frozen continent, Anoushka achieved her goal of reaching the Geographic North Pole at 7.10am (GMT) yesterday, Sunday April 24, 2004. This is only the first part of the young adventurer's Polar Challenge. In November, Anoushka will set off on a 730 mile journey across Antarctica in an attempt to complete her bid to become the youngest woman to trek to both the North and South Poles in the same year, and the first Pakistani to reach either Pole, while raising money for charity.

Speaking from the North Pole, Anoushka said: "I'm literally on top of the world! I'm so proud to be here and hope I will in some way be an inspiration to other Pakistani women as well as raising awareness of three charities that are close to my heart." Anoushka added: "It has been an amazing experience but I can't wait to get home and have a hot bath!"

Anoushka faced the threats of falling through the ice and possible frostbite in order to raise much-needed funds for three grass-roots charitable organisations. She is raising money for three causes: The Children's Art Foundation (CHART), which aims to provide access to the Fine Arts to under-privileged British school children; the Pakistani Special Olympics, which provides sports training and athletic competition for children with special needs; and La Strada, a Ukrainian-based charity that works with the victims of human trafficking.

Patrick Saich, co-founder of CHART, commented: "Anoushka's support is invaluable. CHART aims to make art more accessible to children from disadvantaged backgrounds, and we hope to show them that they can pursue a career in art if they choose. Anoushka has set a wonderful example, showing both children and adults alike that they can achieve goals that may seem impossible."

On Anoushka's return to London, where she works full-time as a lawyer, she will have a brief period of rest before continuing her training with bare-knuckle fighters and tyre-hauling around London's parks.

To support Anoushka's challenge, or to read about her experiences in the Arctic, please visit www.goingpolar.com

The Children's Art Foundation (CHART) is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to make art more accessible to young people aged 4 - 18 from under-privileged backgrounds by taking original works of visual art into their places of study. For more information, please see: www.chartfoundation.org/

Special Olympics, Pakistan - The Pakistan-based branch of this global charity provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children with special needs. For more information, please see: www.specialolympics.org

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