TRIP OF A LIFETIME!
Training is completed for the Forces Children’s Trust expedition to Nepal in April 2017. The Forces Children’s Trust, a charity devoted to helping children whose father or mother has died, or has sustained life threatening injuries whilst serving as a member of the British Armed Forces, is funding the trip of a lifetime for 16 children aged 14-19.
From Friday 21-Sunday 23 October 2016, the children attended a training weekend in West Sussex. They camped overnight and cooked for themselves, simulating the conditions of the expedition. The training weekend prepared the group to work as a team under arduous conditions and taught them basic expedition skills including preparing necessary equipment, health and safety (first aid and casualty evacuation procedures), catering for a team and camp craft.
On 1 April 2017, the children will be able to put all that they learn into practice as they set off for Kathmandu, where they will spend the first two days acclimatising to Nepal and the altitude. They will then trek to their project site at Lapubesi where they will have the opportunity to help other less-fortunate children by repairing and decorating the school classrooms in the village, which were badly damaged by the devastating earthquake in April 2015. The group will then embark on a four-day trek where they will pass more villages that were dramatically affected by the earthquake. Their perseverance will be rewarded with stunning views of the Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and Annapurna Range and an exhilarating white water rafting experience down the Charaundi River before returning to Kathmandu. The excitement amongst the group as they prepare for their adventure is palpable: Molly Stephens said, “I’m so excited about this expedition. It’s going to be challenging but we will work together to make sure everyone can look back and feel proud that they pushed themselves. We all have potential and together we are strong. It will be an enormous achievement for us all and an opportunity that we are all immensely grateful for”.
Chairman and Founder of the Forces Children’s Trust, Denny Wise, said, “This is an amazing opportunity for young members of the FCT to encourage and support the Nepalese children who have had to deal with trauma and loss due to the recent earthquake.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The Forces Children’s Trust was founded in 2004 by Mr. Denny Wise. Following the many heart-breaking stories that have emerged from the losses in Afghanistan and Iraq, Denny was concerned that the subsequent needs of the affected children were not being fully addressed. He was particularly moved by the number of children who were left without a parent. The charity has helped countless children work through their grief and continues to provide support through educational initiatives, theatre trips, flying days, holidays and adventurous and outdoor learning programmes. For more information visit http://www.forceschildrenstrust.org/
Further information and images available from dwise@forceschildrenstrust.org +44(0) 1737 361077
