IF you think you have had it bad through the recent cold snap, spare a thought for Tony Jones.

The freezing temperatures could have been considered practically tropical for the father-of-three, who battled 26 miles through snow and ice in temperatures as low as –15C to complete the Polar Circle Marathon in Greenland.

The adventure-hungry businessman, from Stratton Audley, near Bicester, has raised £15,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity he pledged to support in honour of a close friend with the disease.

The figure is enough to pay for 600 hours of Macmillan nursing care for terminally ill cancer patients, a Macmillan family support officer for six months, or for 45 cancer sufferers to enjoy precious time away with their families and loved ones.

The Polar Circle Marathon is a notoriously difficult run along snow and ice covered gravel roads and on to the polar ice cap.

Mr Jones, 47, said he was determined to succeed in the challenge in honour of close friend Marie O’Neill, sister of Frank O’Neill, landlord of his local pub, the Red Lion in Stratton Audley.

He added: “For me it was important to raise money for Macmillan because of Marie, and because as a charity they are all about caring.

“But it has not just been me, it has been a community effort. We couldn’t have raised this staggering amount of money without the community.”

Mr Jones extended special thanks to Mr O’ Neill and drinkers at the Red Lion, where among other events a fundraising curry night was held, and also to the punters of the Peyton Arms, in Stoke Lyne, who raised a huge £1,000 through a whip-round alone.

When he set off on the icy mission in October, he was joined by friend Simon Biltcliffe, 45, of Bicester, who raised £5,000 for Starlight, a charity which grants wishes to seriously and terminally ill children.

The pair do not shy away from adventure. In the past six years they have trekked to five of the world’s toughest mountains, including Mount Vinson in Antarctica, Kilimanjaro in Africa, and Mount Elbrus on the border of Russia and Georgia.

They have also attempted Mount McKinley, in Alaska, and have completed Peru’s Inca Trail.

But Mr Jones said this was the first time he had been inspired to raise money for a charity. He managed to complete the gruelling run in just four hours and 59 minutes.

He added: “I thought we would raise about three or four grand, but people’s generosity has been staggering.

“Macmillan is such an important charity to support, because they care when others can’t cure.

“It’s a great feeling to able to support their work.”