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2008 Bill Wallace Expeditions Announced |
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This Saturday (3rd of May) Tom Pendrey
will pack his kayak with food, equipment and a solar panel and set
off to paddle the length of the Western Isles to promote sustainable
lifestyles. Tom is one of three expeditions that are being sponsored
this year by the John Muir Trust’s 2008 Bill Wallace Grant.
“Now in its second year the Bill Wallace Grant is for expeditions that raise awareness of and help to conserve wild places,” commented Development Manager Dave Picken. “I wish this year’s adventurers the best of luck and hope that they have a great experience.” Three expeditions have been chosen for the 2008 Bill Wallace Grant: Tom Pendrey Over the next month Tom Pendrey will paddle in his sea kayak from Castlebay on the Isle of Barra up the west coast of Lewis and Harris. Committed to sustainable living, Toms 150 mile journey will leave little trace on the planet. Tom will use drift wood and heather for fuel and catch his own food wherever he can. He will get weather forecasts on a wind up radio and charge safety equipment with a solar panel bought with funding from the Bill Wallace Grant. Tom has grown up on Barra, and currently works as a sea kayaking guide for Clearwater Paddling based on the island, running trips throughout the west coast of Scotland. “I am proud to be sponsored by the John Muir Trust for paddling in what can be one of the most challenging kayaking environments and a stunningly beautiful location. This is sure to be an adventure that I won’t forget.” Tom Pendrey Ilya Maclean Ilya Maclean has been awarded a grant to allow him to train rural Tanzanian villagers in bird identification and monitoring techniques in the Blackwood forest. These skills will greatly enhance their prospects of securing future employment. Ilya Maclean, from Edinburgh, has a life-long passion for wildlife and has done extensive research in Africa as part of his PHD in Ecology. “I feel very pleased and honored that my project has been awarded the Bill Wallace Grant, to go out and do what I believe in: conserving wildlife whilst ensuring that people benefit too." Ilya Maclean Ben Sutton The Oxford University Tien Shan Expedition has been awarded a Bill Wallace Grant to travel to Kyrgyzstan, a former republic of the USSR, to make first ascents in an area that has not previously been visited by mountaineers. The Tien Shan mountain range that extends northwest through Kyrgyzstan and includes the two most northerly peaks over 7000m in the world. Ben Sutton is studying Earth Science in Exeter College. He has trekked in the Moroccan High Atlas and participated in several geological fieldtrips. Ben is really looking forward to visiting a new part of the world and is enjoying the challenge of organising the expedition. "Receiving the Bill Wallace Grant was a great boost for the expedition. It's so encouraging when people like the John Muir Trust are enthusiastic about your aspirations, and provide the support to help make it happen!" Ben Sutton The Bill Wallace Grant was set up following the sudden death in 2006 of Bill Wallace, one of the John Muir Trust’s guiding lights. Bill climbed extensively in Scotland and was involved in expeditions to South America, the Alps and Greenland in the 1950’s. “We need new adventurers to follow in the footsteps of bravehearts like Bill Wallace,” concluded Dave Picken. “As well as having the trip of a lifetime the Grant encourages participants to help conserve wild places in Scotland or further afield.” Contact Communications Officer Jamie Grant,  |
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