Polar Explorer, Alan Chambers MBE, talks to Year 6
28 Jul 2015
Pupils in Year 6 were honoured to welcome HeadNorth expedition leader and accomplished polar explorer, Alan Chambers MBE, along with members of this year’s team, including Rugby World Cup 2003 player Danny Grewcock MBE.
Alan, who is a Millfield parent, told of the toughest North Pole challenge he has led in the past ten years due to adverse weather conditions and poor visibility faced by the group. The pupils were riveted by the retelling of their expedition which featured the team’s plane making an emergency landing on the first day, rivers appearing in the shifting ice, white-outs and temperatures of around -35°C.
The team arrived at the top of the world at 1pm on Saturday 13 April, safe and sound after their gruelling 6.5 day challenge, and unfurled a flag celebrating Millfield’s 80th Anniversary.
The team of nine were raising money for The Lewis Moody Foundation and The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund (RMCTF) and have so far been pledged over £180,000. The former helps those affected by serious illness, offering days out and one-off experiences for children and their families as well as funding scientific research and the RMCTF provides a better quality of life to serving and retired Royal Marines and their families. Along with Alan Chambers, Gary Wright, Charlie Birkett, Yves Damette of Y.CO, Rugby World Cup 2003 winners Danny Grewcock MBE, Josh Lewsey MBE and Lewis Moody MBE, and two Royal Marines completed the challenge. Danny is connected to the school as he regularly supports the Millfield Rugby Programme, with coaching across all ages.
Pupils were inspired by the messages of resilience, teamwork and a positive mental attitude to achieve seemingly impossible challenges. They also took a close look at some of the items the team took with them to the Pole, including clothing and supplies imperative to their survival. Each team member hauled a sledge weighing 60kg during their daily treks.
Alan commented “In the last ten years, this was the toughest North Pole challenge I’ve led, because of the weather, the conditions and the poor visibility. The team were very strong, mentally and physically, which enabled us to finish the trip on an incredible high.” After 4-5 days of very poor weather, the sun came out as the team approached the Pole, in Alan’s words: “An incredible way to finish a fantastic adventure.”