'Everyone will be pushed to the limit' - all-female Irish crew prepare to take on the 350km Arctic challenge for women's heart health

An expedition is set to raise vital funds for the Irish Heart Foundation, focusing on women's heart health awareness. Participants will trek 350km north of the Arctic Circle, facing extreme conditions to honor those impacted by cardiac issues. Nearly €100,000 has already been raised, with alarming statistics showing one-in-four Irish women die from heart disease. The challenge is both physically demanding and personally significant for many participants, including Judith Gilsenan and Lisa Byrne, who aim to shed light on under-researched cardiovascular problems affecting women.

Irish Heart Foundation commercial director Judith Gilsenan stated, 'These women are taking on this challenge to raise funds and awareness as part of our 'Her Heart Matters' campaign. They are doing it for the hearts that can't and shining a vital light on women's heart health.'

Another participant, Lisa Byrne, shared her motivation: 'I read the statistics on the Irish Heart Foundation's Her Heart Matters campaign as there is a history of cardiac disease in my family... It's frightening.'

Read at Irish Independent