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Teenagers aiming high
As we look forward to the end of this wintry cold snap, spare a thought for five teenagers from Beverley who are preparing to reach the dizzy heights of the Himalayas, as part of a special expedition by the Yorkshire and Humberside Cadet Forces.
Adam Johnson and Miles Lenton, both 15, along with Connor McBain, Nathan Bray and Jack Wilson-Spencer, all 16, from Beverley Army Cadet Force (ACF) detachment, are among just 19 cadets and six adult instructors from across the region who have been specially chosen, after a rigorous assessment process, to take part in the challenging expedition.
Departing at the end of July, the cadets will spend four weeks trekking in the Nepalese Himalaya from Jiri passing Lukla, Namche Bazaar, and finally to Gorak Shep, where the team will make the final ascent of Kala Patthar, a shade under 6,000 metres altitude. From Kala Patthar they will be able to see Mount Everest, the surrounding peaks and the Khumbu Glacier, and will be above Everest Base Camp Four.
All five cadets need to raise over £1,200 each to help fund the trip, which they are doing through a range of fundraising activities such as sponsored events, bag-packing and weekend working in local businesses.
The cadets have been undergoing a 12-month training programme, which commenced during Easter last year, in preparation for the extreme conditions they will face.
Adam said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I can’t believe that, in just under six months’ time, I’m going to be in the heart of the world’s highest mountain range, trekking across an unbelievable landscape, in what could be quite harsh conditions – even in summer the temperatures can reach -10 overnight.
“However, we have been preparing for the conditions on the trail and training hard, and we’re aiming to be at the peak of our physical condition before departure. With the help of our instructors I’m confident we’ll be ready for anything the expedition may throw at us. I can’t wait!”
Colonel David Fuller OBE, Commandant, Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force, who has been training the cadets for the trip, said: “We are delighted to be able to take our cadets on this adventure. An expedition like this offers skills and challenges that they would otherwise never get to experience here.
“It is also a great occasion for the cadet movement, which continues to offer fantastic opportunities, such as this expedition, to youngsters as well as adult volunteers across the region.”
If you would like to help raise money for the cadets, please contact Colonel Fuller at the county HQ on 01377 253548 or email difuller@hsyacf.org.uk.
Yorkshire has always played a proud role in the cadet movement, which comprises the Sea Cadet Corps (SCC), Army Cadet Force (ACF) and Air Training Corps (ATC), with more than 5,400 cadets supported by 1,294 adult volunteers across the region’s 175 detachments.
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Weather for Beverley
Monday 21 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North
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