Cold challenge
By Jane Elliott
Health reporter, BBC News
Anne Mawdsley has swum with sharks, completed the Olympic bobsleigh run and driven at high speed round a rally course to raise charity cash.
But later this month she takes on what could be the biggest challenge of her life – a dog sled run in sub-zero temperatures across the lakes and forests of Finland.
For Anne, aged 67, has severe Raynaud’s disease, which affects the blood supply to the fingers, toes and other extremities.
Even small drops in temperature could put Anne at risk of losing her digits through gangrene – and this will be a sustained period of exposure.
Risk to digits
Raynaud’s can be extremely painful, as a result of the blood supply to the extremities being temporarily interrupted as a result of exposure to cold.
This usually affects the fingers and toes.
"I worry about her because if Anne gets too cold her fingers might totally shut down and she could end up with gangrene"
Robert Moots
Consultant rheumatologist
During an "attack" they first become white and dead-looking, then can turn blue, and finally become red and feel like they are burning.
There may be considerable pain, numbness or tingling.
These symptoms can occur with any slight change in temperature.
Many describe an attack as being similar to having frostbite or having trapped your fingers in a car door.
Anne, from Cheshire, said she hoped to raise over £20,000 through the two-day, 40-mile (64km) husky challenge for the Raynaud’s & Scleroderma Association, which she founded.
"I was trying to think of something different that would really highlight the problem people experience," she said.
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"Sometimes people tend to think it is only cold when the snow is on the ground.
"They do not realise the problems we can go through all the year round, really.
"I thought, ‘If I put myself through sub-zero temperatures, we can use that as part of the challenge for keeping warm.
"What can I do to be able to keep warm and keep my circulation going"
Taking care
Robert Moots, consultant rheumatologist at University Hospital, in Aintree, Liverpool, said that Anne would need to take great care to protect herself.
"I think it is a very brave and scary thing for Anne to be doing," he said.
RAYNAUD’S FACTS- First described by Maurice Raynaud in 1862
- Raynaud’s is a condition affecting up to 10 million people in the UK
- It causes severe pain in the extremities when exposed to temperature change
- An "attack" can be brought on by exposure to cold of any kind, such as the weather or simply getting something out of a fridge
"It is typical, but I worry about her because if Anne gets too cold her fingers might totally shut down and she could end up with gangrene.
"It is difficult because it is quite a way from any medical care.
"It is a very brave thing to do because even a small change in temperature could trigger off a nasty attack.
"I think it is a very serious risk she is taking but she is a very brave lady and, if anyone can do it, I am sure Anne can."
Anne, who has had Raynaud’s for more than 30 years, said she was taking every precaution.
"It is a big challenge," she said. "But companies have been brilliant – I have a heated balaclava, jacket, socks, everything.
"I have practised to see how many layers I can get on because layering is so important for keeping warm.
"I even have a heated cushion.
"This will be my biggest challenge so far because the aim of trying to keep warm is going to be a challenge.
"I have got to be really sensible and make sure I have back-up."
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