NEWS
Bate attemptsEverestforfi fthtime
As we go to press Belfast man Gavin Bate is currently involved
in his fifth attempted ascent of Mt Everest.
Bate (37) has come tantalisingly close to reaching the
highest point on earth on his previous four expeditions but has
never quite made it.This time he is hoping it will be different.
However, his even bigger priority is to raise money for
Moving Mountains, the charity which he set up in 2001 after
many years working in the slums of Nairobi.The charity helps
build schools, hospitals and monasteries in both Nepal and
Kenya and has helped street children and their families.
Bate’s plan – which is obviously highly weather
dependent – is to move from camp 3 to camp 4 (south col)
on 17 May and then make a bid for the summit on 18 May.
He says,“If my expeditions to climb Everest can make
these projects happen with the Moving MountainsTrust
then all my efforts will have been worth it. For more on the
expedition visit: www.myeverestchallenge.com where you
can read all the latest blogs, listen to audio messages and
read more about how to donate.To donate, visit: www.
justgiving.com/gavinbate - Gavin’s online fundraising page,
or www.movingmountains.org.uk.
Studentstaketo thegreatoutdoors
Almost 300 first year students from all eightVEC schools in Co
Mayo took part in the Big Buzz event which took place recently
on Keel beach in Achill.The students participated in a whole
range of taster sessions of Outdoor activities, ranging from
surfing, kayaking and raft-building to initiative games and
beach-based brainbusters.
ThedaywasorganisedaspartofMayoVEC’s ActiveLivingand
LearningInitiative, andhostedbyAchillOutdoorEducationcentre.
Thewholeaimoftheinitiativeistoencourageyoungpeopleto
takepartinmorefunoutdooractivitiesandpursueanactive,
healthylifestyleaspartoftheirlearningexperienceinschool.
Theeventcouldn’t havetakenplacewithoutthehuge
helpfromthestaffandstudentsofGMIT’s OutdoorEducation
DepartmentandalsotheMayoSportsPartnership.Thanksmust
alsogotothecivildefencewhoprovidedtheirservicesontheday.
Ali Donald, Project Co-Ordinator, Active Living and Learning
Initiative, MayoVEC, stated,“The energy and enthusiasm shown
by pupils and teachers alike was fantastic, and despite the
weather taking a turn for the worse in the afternoon, it never
dampened the spirits. Mayo has some of the finest locations for
outdoor activities anywhere in the country so hopefully the Big
Buzz will be a spark of inspiration to young people around the
county to get involved.”
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