Antarctic cold weather gear donated to Cambridge homeless charity

The thermals are no longer suitable for the extreme Antarctic environment, says polar clothing store manager Matthew Cridland

Six boxes of hats, fleeces and gloves previously used in Antarctica have been donated to a homelessness charity.

Cambridge-based British Antarctic Survey (BAS) donated the thermals to Wintercomfort, which supports people living on the city's streets.

Matthew Cridland, from BAS, said it was "better to reuse" the equipment, once it was no longer suitable for the extreme Antarctic environment.

Wintercomfort said it was "incredibly grateful" to receive the donation.

Users of Cambridge charity Wintercomfort will benefit from the donation

The equipment has been returned to BAS after people arrive back in the UK at the end of the summer field season, which starts in October and ends in March.

Polar clothing store manager Mr Cridland said it "holds our equipment to the highest level", because it must be suitable for an "extreme environment".

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This can range from -5C (23F) to -20C (-4F), although the lowest temperature recorded at its Halley VI research station was -50C (-58F).

Mr Cridland said: "It's not like we can pop to the shop and get some spares, so we do need make sure that everything is completely right.

"We try to reissue where we can to staff, and other bases, and when that's not possible, to donate it to an organisation like Wintercomfort is fantastic."

The gear needs to be suitable for temperatures as low as -50C (-58F)

He added that temperatures in the UK could actually feel colder than in Antarctica due to humidity.

"I've heard colleagues return and say they've found it much colder watching the football in the UK, because of our maritime climate with its higher moisture levels," he said.

"So while the gear might not be 100% what we want now, I know that Wintercomfort will make the most out of it - and it is better to reuse than recycle."

Wintercomfort said in a message on X: "We are incredibly grateful to have received six huge boxes full of super warm thermal hats, fleeces and gloves, as well as reusable water bottles.

"Thank you so much for your generosity."