Pupils to spend Easter with famous adventurer

Eighteen pupils from a Mid Wales school will be spending Easter in the wilderness with a world renowned adventurer and motivational speaker.

The pupils from Christ College Brecon will be travelling to Mallaig, Scotland, for their Annual Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Easter Camp and will be setting up base at the self-catering outdoor centre owned by adventurer, ex-paratrooper and SAS soldier Tom McClean. Tom McClean was made famous for being the first person to row single-handed across the North Atlantic Ocean and for many other adventures which took him across the world.

The camp aims to introduce the cadets to micro-navigation, orienteering, basic climbing, abseiling, mountain walking and watersports in a new environment and will be led by Bill Dowling who manages the school’s CCF.

Bill Dowling MBE joined Christ College after spending 25 years with the Royal Anglian Regiment.

Phillip Jones, Headmaster at Christ College, said: “This is an annual trip which the pupils eagerly anticipate, and is an ideal way for them both to bond with each other and experience outdoor life. Bill’s enthusiasm for all things military and his commitment to cadet training makes this annual camp enjoyable and educational.

“I’m sure the pupils will also get a great deal out of meeting Tom who is truly inspirational. As he speaks about his extraordinary adventures he always expresses a strong motivating message: ‘If you think you can – you will’.”

The trip which will take place between 24 March and 1 April will end with a long distance twenty four hour expedition which goes from the sea level to 2000 feet and back down again.