EVEN Wallace and Gromit would think twice about powering up frozen rivers to the Arctic in minus 42-degree temperatures.

But soon Nick Farnhill and pal Chris Meachin will be doing exactly that, pushing themselves and an old Ural motorcycle with side car to their limits on an expedition from darkest Siberia.

Nick, who grew up in Wimborne, had never even ridden a motorbike before accepting the 2,000km challenge, and has only just passed his test.

The 39-year-old, who wants to raise £10,000 for Wimborne hospital and mental health charity MIND, said: “It’s totally Wallace and Gromit.

“For the first half, there are a few towns and villages where we will try and stop each evening.

“The other half is the complete opposite: absolutely nothing. It’ll be us, jerry cans of petrol and camping out every night.”

He and sidekick Chris, known as Tundra and Lightning, will race from Irbit to Salkehard against five other teams.

Nick, who works for a London design agency, got involved after taking part in the longest horse race across Mongolia two years ago.

The former Queen Elizabeth’s School pupil said: “The toughest part will be the temperate and knowing how to manage ourselves in that level of cold.

“We’ve been told to drink two litres of water every day before we do anything, so first thing every morning we’ll be boiling down snow to get to water and trying to force it down.”

He’s picked the Friends of Victoria Community Hospital in memory of his step-father-in-law John Saunders.

“The staff looked after him fantastically well. It was so nice to see how supportive they were around him and that will never be forgotten.”

Visit justgiving.com/tundraandlightning to donate.