A group of 13 students from Park Mains High School has raised more than £20,000 for mental health support as part of their preparation for an upcoming Arctic expedition in March 2025. The students are participating in The Polar Academy’s 2024/25 programme, an initiative designed to empower young people by taking them on a transformative adventure to Greenland.
While the expedition itself is fully funded by The Polar Academy, a charity focused on teenage mental health, the students have been dedicated to fundraising to help the charity support more young people facing mental health challenges. Since August, the team has undertaken various fundraising activities, including walking 21 miles at the Edinburgh Kiltwalk, to raise funds for this important cause.
Thanks to generous contributions from businesses like Barratt and David Wilson Homes West Scotland, the students have surpassed their original fundraising goal of £15,000, reaching a total of £20,313. With their sights set even higher, the group has now set a new fundraising target of £27,000.
The Polar Academy, now in its 11th year, works to create lasting, positive change in the lives of young people and their families. The charity focuses on building role models and inspiring qualities such as respect, dignity, self-belief, and kindness.
In addition to their fundraising efforts, the students, aged 14 to 16, have been undergoing an intensive training regimen over the past four months in preparation for the challenge ahead. The training has included grueling 20km tyre hauls and weekly high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions. With less than 10 weeks remaining until the expedition, the team is preparing for what promises to be an unforgettable experience.
By participating in this unique programme, the students not only aim to push their physical and mental limits but also hope to inspire others to take action and support the mental health of teenagers.
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