INSPIRATIONAL Luke Dicker is getting ready to join a pioneering Arctic expedition by youngsters from his old school.

The 19-year-old from Hullavington, chosen as a Rotary International Young Citizen after becoming a respected ambassador for children with autism and attention deficit disorders, will be with four pupils from Springfields School, head Trystan Williams and a team including explorer Alan Chambers on a 60-mile trek through the frozen Polar landscape.

He explained: "They asked me to help mentor some of the kiddies in preparation for the trip." He worked on laying the ground for the young adventurers to accept instructions from the experts when they reached the harsh and unforgiving environment of the Arctic.

"In those conditions and in that situation you need to be able to take orders."

But then he was stunned to be asked if he would like to join them on the expedition.

"It is one of those things that you would never go out of your way to do yourself, but when you are presented with an opportunity like that it is amazing, so you’ve got to jump on it."

"These kids struggle with every day situations," he said. "But if they can cope in the harshest of conditions it will help to build them up and make them stronger."

The four day trek from the edge of the Arctic Circle to 78 degrees north means the group will have to walk, eat and sleep in temperatures of –40C.

"Even going to the toilet can be dangerous," said Luke, who is preparing for an acclimatisation exercise in the University of Gloucestershire’s climate chamber on March 1, which will be filmed by the BBC.

He sets off on the real thing in support of the DORE Foundation, which provides support for children with conditions like ADHD and dyslexia, late in March.

His mum Jan, is helping him to fundraise the £2,000 he needs to go on the trip. "I don’t think she is so much worried as glad to be rid of me for a bit," he joked.

But proud Jan said: " It will be the biggest test of his own strengths and weaknesses too, as not only will he have to stretch himself physically but he will have to show the younger boys how to behave and cope mentally and emotionally. Great opportunity for him under the mentorship of Trystan Williams – an inspirational figure for Luke.

Anyone who would like to help him raise the money can email Jan at janet.greenman@sky.com.