Girls' Trip!

Aim

We are raising £40,000 to cover the editing and production of a film documenting our all-female NW ski traverse of Svalbard.

Who are we?

We are a team of five female polar adventurers, who have just returned from the ultimate GIRLS' TRIP!

In April 2026, we set off on a 21-day self-guided polar expedition across a remote corner of the Arctic: the North-West of Svalbard. This expedition was recognised by the Royal Geographical Society, which awarded us the Gino Watkins Award for its role in guiding and inspiring enterprising people towards scientific research and exploration in the polar regions.

Our camera woman was embedded as part of the team, capturing footage to document a current all-woman expedition, celebrating the power and perspective of being a woman in the wild. 

The film aims to highlight friendship, teamwork, resilience, and the joy of moving through extraordinary landscapes together, creating an uplifting story of optimism and connection.

While honouring the legacy of women who have gone before us, we showcase how modern expeditions can serve a bigger, collaborative purpose. 

We partnered with scientists and researchers, processing snow samples to help tell the story of Svalbard and amplify climate awareness. 

Through this film, our goal is to inspire people to see expeditions through our eyes: Bold, joyful, united and impactful.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We need to raise £40,000 to cover the editing and production of a film, documenting our all-female NW ski traverse of Svalbard.

This expedition was so much more than reaching a destination on the map. It represents a shift in how polar journeys are approached. This isn't about individual achievement, it's about collaboration with scientists, environmental responsibility and a shared purpose.

The film is essential in ensuring that this expedition has a real, lasting impact. Our aim is global reach! We want to create an engaging film that can be taken to film festivals, youth organisations, public talks and educational settings. We want it to reach comissioners so that as many people connect with the Arctic, the challenges faced by the polar regions, and see themselves reflected in exploration, science and leadership. 

MEET THE TEAM!

Cat Burford

Amelia Rudd

Ayuka Kawakami

Emma Maher

Amelia Steele

EVERYONE KNOWS THAT 

GIRLS' TRIPS ARE THE BEST TRIPS!

WHERE DID WE GO?

Svalbard

The Route

A North-West traverse from Ekmanfjorden to Magdalenefjorden, then a boat journey back to Longyearbyen. 

Duration: 21 days

The focus of the expedition was collaboration with scientists and researchers and documenting the journey through film, over traveling vast distances each day. 

THE FILM

With a camerawoman embedded within the expedition team, we have footage of the training and planning, together with capturing the unfolding expedition. 

Some of the key elements of the expedition story may include:

Training

Crevasse Rescue

Polar Bears

Expedition Life

Adventure Meets Science

Black carbon, a tiny, sunlight-absorbing particle produced by incomplete combustion, plays a role in warming the atmosphere. It can speed up snow and ice melt when it settles on frozen surfaces but its specific impact on arctic glaciers is still being uncovered.

More than just data, this is a chance to show others that expeditions can and should be shaped by the place you travel through.

We will tell the story of Svalbard, not just as a backdrop, but as a voice and reason for the journey. 

Research

Tent Life

Conversation and camaraderie are a natural part of expedition culture and life, reflecting a truth that many adventurers, especially women, recognise. 

Challenge feels lighter when carried together, and when there's room to talk, reflect and cheer each other on. 

Championing Women's Visibility

Many women in the polar community make significant advancements behind the scenes, driven by dedication, not recognition. 

CHARITY COLLABORATION

Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run is a charity that reaches over 200,000 girls each year, helping them recognise their own limitless potential.

For us, this journey was never just about reaching a destination. It was about showing girls everywhere that they are capable of doing hard things, especially when they lean on teamwork, resilience, and their authentic selves.

We hope others will recognise the power of friendship, teamwork, and showing up for each other. We are all different and bring our own personalities and strengths, and it is these differences that make us stronger together.

OUR GOALS FOR THE FILM

We set out with ambitious goals for the expedition. Now we have equally ambitious plans for the film:

To bring this film to life, we need to raise                            £40,000

How we will spend the money raised:

We want to be completely transparent about how your support will be used.

This crowdfunder is solely to cover the editing and production costs of the Girls' Trip film, documenting our all-female North-West traverse of Svalbard. 

The £40,000 we are seeking, is the quote that we have received for professional film editing, sound design and audio mixing, colour grading, music licensing and original score, post production support and the formatting of the film to ensure it meets film festival and screening requirements. 

This level of professional production is essential if the film is to have optimum reach. Our goal is maximum impact: to connect people with Svalbard and the Arctic, highlight the importance of protecting these regions, and share a message of collaboration, science and female leadership in exploration.

Every contribution, whatever the size, will help transform our footage in to a high-quality, lasting educational and cultural resource that can inspire people long after the journey ends. 

If You Are A Business Interested In Formal Sponsorship or Partnership:

The Girls Trip team is made up of experienced keynote and after-dinner speakers who regularly present at conferences, corporate events, leadership programmes and educational institutions. Through our talks, we share powerful stories of teamwork, resilience, leadership, decision-making under pressure and achieving ambitious goals, drawing on our experiences in these challenging environments.

We are also available for webinars, panel discussions and bespoke events, and would be delighted to discuss how we can support your organisation. If you would like to explore sponsorship opportunities or book a member of the team to speak at your event, please get in touch with Cat Burford at [email protected] or use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page.

How Everyone Can Play Their Part

There are simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge

Don't delay if you're going to support us becuase momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word

Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards

Get involved if you are a business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us

If you want to run your own fundraiser or sponsored activity, use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won't need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 24th October 2026 at 12:27pm