Patron Capital, the pan-European institutional investor focused on property-backed investments, is proud to have sponsored the Forces Wives Challenge (FWC) as a team of 12 completed the extraordinary Heroes of Telemark expedition.
The incredible team have conquered one of the most inhospitable environments on earth, Norway’s Hardangervidda plateau, in tribute to the WWII Heroes of Telemark – a group of men who survived in this harsh environment for four months in order to sabotage Hitler’s plans to create an atomic bomb. The FWC team endured temperatures of -10 degrees Celsius, while skiing five to 10 hours a day across more than 85km. They have become the first all-women team to accomplish this.
The women operated in three sledge teams of four, with each member pulling the sledge for 20 minutes before handing it over to another team-mate. During the treacherous journey, one member of the team even broke her elbow but still walked the rest of the route in snowshoes with her arm in a plaster, instead of skiing.
The Forces Wives Community have been on similar excursions before, which Patron Capital has also had the pleasure of sponsoring. In 2019, the FWC climbed the world’s highest volcano ‘Ojos del Salado’ in Chile. However, the women claim Norway’s plateau was the most challenging.
The expedition is so phenomenal it has sparked the attention of some formidable people including Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Bear Grylls and Tracy Edwards.
The FWC seeks to celebrate the strength of the Armed Forces’ wives community, using challenges and adventure to unite women of all ages and backgrounds. Through its Armed Forces Initiative, Patron has supported over 220 servicemen, raising over £3 million for The Royal Marines Charity.
Keith Breslauer, Managing Director of Patron Capital, said:
“Everyone at Patron Capital is just in complete awe of these immensely brave and impressive women. This was both a very physically and mentally demanding expedition and the FWC Heroes of Telemark team have displayed their remarkable strength. It is a huge honour to work with and support people who are connected to the Armed Forces, as Patron has done for over two decades. This team of women have made history in becoming the world’s first all-women team to retrace the steps of the WWII heroes which is a remarkable achievement. We want to congratulate the women of this milestone and on behalf of Patron Capital, we are incredible proud to be associated with such an inspirational community.”
Media Enquiries to:
For Patron Capital
Henry Columbine/Polly Warrack t: +44 (0)7808 541191
SEC Newgate e: patron@secnewgate.co.uk
Notes to Editors
About Patron Capital Partners
Patron represents approximately €4.3 billion of capital across several funds and related coinvestments, investing in property, corporate operating entities whose value is primarily supported by property assets and distressed debt and credit related businesses.
Since it was established in 1999, Patron has undertaken more than 170 transactions across 90 investments and programs involving over 65 million square feet (6 million square metres) in 17 countries, with many of these investments realised.
Investors represent a variety of sovereign wealth funds, prominent universities, major institutions, private foundations, and high net worth individuals located throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The main investment adviser to the Funds is Patron Capital Advisers LLP, which is based in London, and Patron has other offices across Europe including Barcelona and Luxembourg; the group is comprised of 69 people, including a 41-person investment team.
Further information about Patron Capital is available at www.patroncapital.com.
