Leo Houlding inspires Cumbrian pupils to reach for the top

2nd December 2011

Cumbrian pupils have done 'summit' great, thanks to a Kendal Mountain Festival event funded by Cumbria County Councillors in South Lakeland.

Youngsters from Clifton School in Penrith, John Ruskin School in Coniston, St Thomas's School in Kendal  and Staveley School met renowned Cumbrian climber Leo Houlding.

They also watched a number of films from the Mountain Festival's family programme.

Councillors on Cumbria County Council's South Lakeland Local Committee gave a grant of just over £4,700 to Kendal Mountain Festival to run these events over the main festival weekend as well as year round programme of similar events. The sessions helped educate pupils about big issues like the outdoors, nature and respect for the environment.

World-famous climber Leo told pupils about both his experiences in the Lake District as a youngster that inspired him to become a climber, as well as his latest adventures on Everest and on Top Gear.

He also encouraged pupils to make the most of having the Lake District on their doorstep.

Cumbria County Councillor Clare Feeney-Johnson, chairman of South Lakeland local committee's children and young people's working group, which funded the project said: "We were very pleased to be able to fund these events, our natural surroundings are one of our most precious assets in Cumbria and it's important that our young residents understand how to look after it and make the most of it.

"The Kendal Mountain Festival is an important date in the calendar and something which we're proud to support."

The events were part of Kendal Mountain Festival for Schools programme which aims to inspire young people to engage with the mountains and other wilderness areas; realise their own potential for their own adventures on their own doorstep - in the Lake District and beyond - and to gain an understanding of the world's mountain environment.

Robin Ashcroft from Kendal Mountain Festival said: "We were delighted when Cumbria County Council chose to support Kendal Mountain Festival for schools - not just over the festival weekend, but also our year-round programme."