THE frosty tundra north of the Arctic Circle beckons for a Lake District hotel worker who wants to highlight the issue of loneliness.

Geoff Lee is to embark on a solo 145-mile hike through remote Greenland to raise money for mental health charity Mind, and Macmillan Cancer Support.

A hospitality supervisor at the Macdonald Old England Hotel in Bowness, Geoff said the two causes were close to his heart.

He hopes his long-distance walk will draw attention to the impact of loneliness on people’s mental health.

“I’m a seasoned trekker but have never attempted such a length of trial on my own,” he said.

“Doing this makes the task that much harder, but I wanted to make a statement on behalf of Mind and Macmillan, who provide help and assistance to those on a long and sometimes very lonely journey.

“Persistent isolation can have serious and detrimental effects on person’s overall wellbeing, leading to depression and anxiety.

“We need to have more conversations about how to tackle the problem and support those struggling with mental health.”

Geoff’s solo journey will take him from the luxurious surroundings of the four-star hotel and spa where he works to some of the most isolated and wild parts of Greenland.

The 145-mile Arctic Circle Trail is regarded as one of the world’s most picturesque and challenging.

It starts at Kangerlussuaq, just north of the Arctic Circle, a village of 500 people and an airport, before working its way through remote Artic tundra valleys to the fishing harbour of Sisimiut, Greenland’s second largest town.

Overnight accommodation is in cabins or tents, and trekkers in high summer experience 24-hour daylight - better known as the "midnight sun".

To prepare for his journey, Geoff has been training in the hotel’s gym between shifts to improve his strength and fitness.

“I know it’s going to be tough, but it is also going to be a life-changing experience,” he said, thanking the hotel for its support.

Peter Llewellyn, the hotel’s general manager, added: “I’m incredibly proud of Geoff for taking on such a monumental challenge to raise much-needed awareness around a really important subject.”