Four friends, two of them from Penryn, have been inspired to turn a 270-mile trek through a scenic trail and remote wilderness in northern Sweden into a fundraiser for the Merlin Centre as a tribute to a family member who is supported by the charity.

The group will be on a self-guided hike along The Kungsleden (King’s Trail) carrying all their own food, clothing and equipment. From its starting point at Abisko in the north of the country down to Hemavan in the south, the route will take the group inside the Arctic Circle.

Expedition leader Richard Trethewey, 38, who lives in Penryn, decided to raise funds for the charity as a close family member regularly attends Cornwall’s only MS therapy centre at Hewas Water, near St Austell. They will be funding all elements of the trip themselves so any donations and sponsorship will go directly to the Merlin MS Centre.

“My uncle Rex Trethewey lives with Multiple Sclerosis," said Richard. "He is a really genuine, nice guy and we'd love as a group to be able to raise money and awareness for MS and the Merlin MS Centre.”

The expedition, Trekking through the Arctic, will begin on August 1 and the friends expect to complete the trail by the first week of September. The top of the Kungsleden trail is home to Sweden's highest mountain Kebnekaise (2,100 metres high) – the group will be making this climb on their way down the trail and then they will trek through some of Sweden's wildest national parks, recommended only for the more experienced hiker.

Richard and Gary McAndrew, 42, who is also from Penryn, will travel more than 1,000 miles by car from Cornwall across Europe where they will then meet their fellow trekkers Jason Tetlow, 26, and Thomas Morrison, 25, from Bracknell in Berkshire before beginning their trek. All four are experienced hikers and have been undergoing tough fitness regimes to ensure they can complete their challenge.

Anyone wanting to make a donation should go to https://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Trethewey-Trekking-Through-The-Arctic-For-MS/