17 January 2005

Antarctic adventurer to inspire pupils

Record breaking Polar explorer visits local schools

A record breaking polar explorer is bringing a unique taste of his adventures direct to local schools with inspirational visits supported by Ordnance Survey.

Andrew Cooney reached the South Pole on 2 January 2003 at the age of 23, becoming the youngest ever person to walk there from the Antarctic coast. His 730-mile journey took 53 days and involved dragging a sledge for up to nine hours a day.

Now Andrew is sharing his experience with pupils at a select number of schools across the country. Pupils from Dŵr-y-Felin Comprehensive School (Neath), Abbey Gate College (Saighton, Chester), Carleith Primary School (Duntocher, Clydebank), Connah's Quay High School (Flintshire), Aberlady Primary School (East Lothian) and Kingmead Technology College (Hednesford, Staffordshire) have been given the opportunity to hear Andrew recounting his polar adventures. The six lucky schools were drawn to receive a visit from Andrew because they were among the first to place an order as part of Ordnance Survey's Free maps for 11-year-olds initiative.

Andrew will bring with him the actual tent, sledge, snowshoes and other survival and navigation equipment he used on his expedition.

The aim of the visits is to encourage children to use maps, explore their local areas, and discover new destinations.

Over the past three years, Ordnance Survey has made available more than 2.5 million free OS Explorer maps to 11-year-olds across Britain. Although distributed through schools, the maps are owned by the children themselves.

Andrew, a former scout leader and territorial army troop commander from Nottinghamshire, says: “I believe it is so important for young people to be able to explore their surroundings. I hope with their free maps and inspirational presentation about my south pole world record breaking expedition they will be able to see and experience what the world has to offer.”

"I am delighted that our pupils will experience this unique opportunity to hear Andrew’s account of his remarkable journey," says Edward Mitchell, Headmaster of Abbey Gate College. "I know that it will inspire them still further to achieve their individual goals, no matter the challenges that may lie ahead."

"All of Year 7 look forward to meeting Andrew and learning of his exciting expedition to the South Pole; we are delighted to have been one of the successful winners," says Catrin Lawson, Head of Geography at Dŵr-y-Felin Comprehensive School. "The Free Maps for Schools is a brilliant idea. Our Year 7s have loved having their free maps; they have been enthusiastic to use them and they are a useful resource in their map skills lessons."

"The children in Carleith are looking forward to Andrew Cooney's visit and the story he has to tell of his expedition," says Anne Turner of Carleith Primary School. "The children would normally only read of expeditions to the South Pole and it is rare for our children to actually meet and talk to someone who has had such an experience. Andrew has promised to bring along his sledge and equipment for the children to see. We all look forward to this exciting day."

Further information on the Free maps for 11-year-olds initiative is available at www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/education.

 

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