Pupils picked for Arctic adventure
A team of West Lothian teenagers are set to take on the challenge of a lifetime.
Ten Bathgate Academy students will undertake a 100km, 10day expedition across Eastern Greenland next April.
They will take on the daunting task alongside pupil support manager Ellis McKay with the Polar Academy charity.
The Polar Academy was set up by Scottish polar explorer Craig Mathieson to help youngsters with their self-confidence, anxiety and self-esteem.
Mr Mathieson said the 10 selected students have nine months of rigorous training ahead of them.
He said: “The pupils from Bathgate Academy who have come through the selection process should be proud of their achievement.
“It has been extremely hard to decide those who can most benefit from being part of the expedition team. For those selected, the hard work starts now.
“Like the many positively transformed youths who have gone before them, The Polar Academy will prepare the expedition team for the experience of hauling a 45kg sledge, navigating, camping, cooking and skiing across the wilds of Greenland in temperatures as low as -30°C.
“Crucially, in the months ahead, as a team and individuals, they will encounter and overcome challenges that develop selfconfidence and awaken the realisation that with focus and effort the seemingly impossible can be achieved.
“Just as importantly, their postexpedition talks to peer groups across Scotland will inspire thousands of other youths to pursue goals they too previously thought unattainable.”
As well as the 10 members of the expedition team, a further nine pupils will take part in the training as the leadership team.
Ellis McKay said: “It’s a huge expedition and a huge undertaking. There’s excitement as much as there is nerves.
“The amount of training will be physically demanding and we’ll also have to learn a whole new skill set.
“It’s the biggest undertaking I’ve had in my professional career and I’m sure it’s the same for the students.
“We’re still one large team, both expedition and leadership, and I’m looking forward to seeing them grow in confidence, their selfesteem and self-worth. That’s the most important thing.
“Another large part of this is about fundraising and getting community support as these young people are going to be an inspiration for the community.”
The seven girls and three boys will be joined on their expedition by Mollie Hughes, who in 2017 became the youngest woman in the world to climb Mount Everest from both the north and south.
COMPETITION