A man is set to take on a gruelling challenge in the heart of the Arctic Circle to make a difference to those struggling with mental health.
Andy Gallacher, 55, will battle icy winds and push himself to the limit in Hossa, Finland, where he will brave sub-zero temperatures to raise money for the charity, Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH).
From cross-country skiing through vast frozen landscapes and ice swimming to building igloos and spending three days in a cabin with no electricity, Andy will tackle the Arctic Adventure Challenge, which will teach him how to survive the Arctic wilderness.
"The main challenges lie in the cold conditions, which will add to the difficulty of the activities," Andy said.
The Elderslie man continued: "I have raised thousands for various charities over the years, usually involving running marathons or ultramarathons. I have run around a dozen ultramarathons.
"The craziest challenge to date was completing The Highland Fling Ultra on a Saturday, before catching the last flight to London and completing the London Marathon on the Sunday, then being at my desk at 9am on the Monday morning.
"I don’t like the cold, so this will definitely be a challenge, but when someone suggests something a bit different, I think, 'why not' and apparently, I thought freezing in -30°C was a good idea."
The challenge will run from March 4 to March 8, 2026.
On March 4, Andy will depart from Glasgow Airport at 7am to fly to Rovaniemi, Finland. He will land in Rovaniemi at 6.10pm with a three-hour transfer by road (with studded snow tyres) to a cabin near Hossa.
He will then spend the first night in a hotel, while the other three nights will be in the electricity-free cabin.
Andy's decision to undergo the tough challenge comes after his father's battle with mental health, as well as his own.
Andy's late father, Gerry, who sadly passed away in 2014, spent time in Gartnavel Royal Hospital after suffering from depression throughout his life. Andy said Gerry was a keen bowler at the St. Vincent Bowling Club in Minerva Street.
Andy went on to say that he has had his own experience with depression and stress.
He explained: "I have suffered from stress and depression relating to work as well as family bereavements.
"So, there is a personal element in me wanting to help fund the work SAMH does."
The SAMH was founded in 1923 and works with adults and young people in around 60 to 70 communities across Scotland.
The charity provides a wide range of practical services, programmes, and resources to support people’s mental health and to influence how Scotland responds to mental health issues.
Some of the charity's services include housing support, community engagement projects which help people connect with local resources, reduce isolation, and build confidence, and it also offers online self‑help and wellbeing resources.
Catriona Wilson, Mass Participation Events Manager at SAMH, said: “Our Arctic Adventure is one of the biggest commitments that a SAMH supporter can take on. The challenge involves trekking across snowy Kuusamo, in north-eastern Finland, through frozen terrain in sub-zero temperatures.
“Since signing-up, Andy has shown tremendous commitment to not just the fundraising aspect, but also the intense training required to prepare for the challenge. Andy is a great character, which will help create a strong team spirit during any difficult moments.
"I can't wait to see Andy take on this challenge, and I'll be there personally to cheer him and the group along."
Andy has already raised over £2k of his £3,700 goal for SAMH. You can donate by clicking HERE
For more information on SAMH, click HERE or email the information team via info@samh.org.uk. SAMH's opening hours are 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
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