Scottish teen heads to North Pole

Jordan Maguire will embark on his 10-day journey on Monday

A teenager from East Renfrewshire has embarked on an attempt to be the youngest boy to walk to the North Pole.

Jordan Maguire, 15, from Uplawmoor, will begin his 10-day expedition on Monday, travelling by foot from Borneo air base in north Russia to the Arctic.

Jordan, who is raising funds for the children's charity WellChild, will sit his standard grade exams just four days after he returns.

He has trained in Norway to become accustomed to the freezing conditions.

The youngster plans to drag a 80kg sledge for nine hours a day and will sleep in a tent pitched on the ice.

The expedition will be difficult but I'm excited about it Jordan Maguire Schoolboy's Arctic adventure

He could face temperatures of -40C, polar bears and ice ridges during the 70-mile journey.

He said: "I've always wanted to go to the North Pole. We've been planning it for more than a year so I just want to get going now."

The expedition is being led by the acclaimed Norwegian explorer Borge Ousland, who has completed numerous solo treks to the North and South Poles.

Mr Maguire has raised thousands to fund the epic journey from sponsors such as the Hunter Foundation and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

He has also collected £4,000 for a sick children's charity.

The 15-year-old trained in Norway for the expedition

He said: "I chose WellChild because of the record that I'm going for, I thought a children's charity would be appropriate.

"The expedition will be difficult but I'm excited about it.

"Although I've trained in Norway, I haven't faced the extremities of the conditions I will face in the North Pole.

"The biggest danger will be falling through the ice and coming across polar bears."

The Hutchesons' Grammar School pupil will live on high calorie foods during the trip and will have to sleep with some items to prevent them from freezing.

The current world record was set by Alicia Hempleman-Adams, 15, who walked to the North Pole last April.