Purpose in Every Step: Richard Higgins’ Icelandic Challenge for Cancer Research

This year, Northrop & Johnson Yacht Broker Richard Higgins took on an expedition like no other: a punishing trek across Iceland’s remote Langjökull Glacier, one of Europe’s largest ice caps. Over eight grueling days, Richard faced unforgiving frozen wilderness to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. What began as a personal challenge turned into a shared mission that raised an astonishing £98,000. The experience was raw, real, and deeply rooted in purpose.

“Taking on this challenge in Iceland was about more than pushing my physical and mental limits…it was a deeply personal mission,” says Richard. “Over the years, I’ve watched family members and close friends face cancer with incredible strength and resilience. Seeing what they went through, the treatments, and the uncertainty, the emotional and physical toll left a lasting impact on me. I felt compelled to do something meaningful, something that could both honor their fight and contribute to finding a cure.”

The harsh, otherworldly landscapes of Iceland mirrored the emotional terrain of the cause he was supporting.

“The landscapes in Iceland were tough,” he continues. “Cold, rugged, and at times unforgiving. In many ways, they reminded me of the emotional journey that comes with cancer. It’s unpredictable; it knocks you down, and there are moments when you feel completely overwhelmed. But just like the people I know who’ve faced cancer, there’s also strength, resilience, and moments of hope.”

“There were times during the challenge when I felt physically and mentally drained,” Richard admits, “but I kept going because I wasn’t doing it just for myself. I was doing it for the people I care about. For those we’ve lost and those still fighting. That thought stayed with me the whole way.”

It wasn’t just metaphorically difficult. The expedition was physically brutal.

“There were definitely moments that pushed me to my limits. The terrain in Iceland is no joke. Endless stretches of rough volcanic rock, steep climbs, and icy winds that seemed to cut right through you. Every day was brutal; however, the last day did stand out as merciless. We finally reached the hut at 11 pm after a 22km trek + 7km walk when told it was only 2km away. Every part of my body was aching, blistered and tired. The beer I had, upon arrival, never tasted so sweet,” recalls Richard.

On top of that? Sub-zero nights, 90mph winds, a sled weighing 40kg, and sleep in a bag not fit for purpose. Still, he kept going.

“Every day, I thought about why I was there. I remembered the faces of the people I love who’ve battled cancer, how they didn’t just get to stop when things got hard. They had to keep going through pain, fear, and uncertainty. That perspective gave me the strength to take the next step, and then the next,” explains Richard.

To survive the trek, preparation was critical.

“I started training six months in advance. Long hikes with a 20kg weighted backpack, gym four times a week with a personal trainer, walking in all kinds of weather to simulate the conditions I’d face in Iceland. It was tough, but I knew I needed to be ready for long days on uneven terrain, carrying everything I needed on my back,” shares Richard.

But all of it, the training, the discomfort, the exhaustion, paid off. Not just in miles completed, but in money raised.

“The number means so much more to me than just a figure. It represents the kindness and generosity of so many people who believed in this cause. It’s a way of turning something painful into something positive. Cancer has taken people I love and impacted many others close to me, and being able to raise this amount feels like a way to honor them,” notes Richard.

Since returning home, Richard has been candid about the emotional aftermath of such an intense experience.

“Coming back from the challenge, I was on such a high. It had been such a powerful and emotional experience. But to be brutally honest, re-entering normal life hit me hard. It was difficult to adjust after being so immersed in something that felt so purposeful and raw. It made me reflect deeply on what really matters,” admits Richard.

For a man who thrives in the high-speed world of luxury yacht brokerage, the trek offered a rare moment to slow down, connect, and shift perspective.

“This journey helped me see how important it is to slow down, be present, and focus on things with real meaning. Personally, it’s changed how I view giving back. It’s not just something you do occasionally; it’s something that can shape who you are. Professionally, it’s made me more grounded, more people-focused, and more aware of the bigger picture beyond just business,” reflects Richard.

At Northrop & Johnson, we’re proud to stand behind our own as they push boundaries, take risks, and lead with heart. Richard Higgins’ Icelandic trek is a powerful reminder that real impact is made step by step when purpose leads the way.