A FORMER teacher from Ringwood is to set off on a solo unaided expedition across Iceland to raise money for two local charities.

Sophie Maignan will leave her home in Ringwood and travel up to London where she will then fly out to Reykjavík from Heathrow Airport with her husband on June 27.

After a two-week holiday, she will then be left to trek around 500 kilometres over three weeks, carrying all of her resources, foods and water, starting on July 14.

The 58-year-old said: “My partner will fly out with me, and we will have a holiday of sorts when we are out there for a couple of weeks.

“From the north of the country, I will set off on my expedition. I will make my own way south across the country, navigating across difficult terrain and across rivers and over hills.

“I will carry on south all the way until I reach a waterfall called Skógafoss, which is around 60 metres high and 25 metres wide. That is where the expedition will finish.”

Sophie resigned from her job as a librarian at a school in Ringwood in May to allow herself to take on this challenge.

Bournemouth Echo: Sophie Maignan, from Ringwood, is to trek over 500 kilometres unaided and by herself across Iceland to raise money for the Ringwood Foodbank and Olivia Inspires

Having never done a fundraising activity like this before, she says she feels anxious ahead of her trek, especially when she considers the geographical and climatic challenges she will face in Iceland, as she has been there before.

“I think if you are going to include a charity and fundraise for them, then I think you need to find something challenging enough for people to support,” Sophie added.

“In terms of a challenge, Iceland has got everything, in terms of the geography, the climate, the terrain and inhospitality of it.

“I will be crossing ice cold rivers by foot which I am a bit wary about and it is going to be very very cold, especially at night. The water will be coming straight off the glaciers, so it is going to be bitterly cold.”

The Ringwood mother will also be raising money for the Ringwood Foodbank and Olivia Inspires, a charity which helps children and young people in the New Forest District Council area with financial support.

Having set a fundraising page for the two charities, Sophie has raised over £1,100.

Bournemouth Echo: Sophie Maignan, from Ringwood, is to trek over 500 kilometres unaided and by herself across Iceland to raise money for the Ringwood Foodbank and Olivia Inspires

Sophie has also been sponsored by Bournemouth Avionics, located in Lee-on-the-Solent, after lending her a brand new Garmin In-reach explorer+ for her expedition.

She said: “My partner and I go onto the foodbank website and see what they need every day and when we go shopping, we pick up whatever items they need and donate them, so it kind of makes sense in a way.

“In all the lockdowns we have had, my partner, my son and I have been very lucky as we have kept our jobs but there are some families that I know and are in our village that aren’t so fortunate.

“I went to speak to the one of the teachers at the school about my challenge and asked about what charities I should support, and she mentioned Olivia Inspires.

“She didn’t need to go any further, that was one that I was going to support.”

Sophie will also be hosting a fundraising day in September when she returns to the UK, which will be held at Café Velo in Ringwood.

To donate to Sophie’s fundraiser, click here.