Heading north in search of adventure

HERM teenager Richard Bailey is preparing for his next Arctic expedition with the British Schools Exploring Society.

Richard, 18, was part of the group that headed to Svalbard last year with the BSES. That trip was cut short after a polar bear attack ended in the tragic death of a student.

This year the society trips are to much safer areas, closer to civilisation.

Richard is one of six Elizabeth College pupils taking part. He and two others are off to Finmark in Norway, two are going to Nimibia and one is heading to the Amazon.

Situated in the northernmost part of continental Europe, Finnmark borders Troms county, Lapland in Finland and Murmansk Oblast in Russia. It is the largest and least-populated county in Norway.

Along with research in areas such as glaciology, geology, hydrology, meteorology and snow science, Richard will be doing tests on fitness and physiology and the effects of 24-hour daylight on sleep patterns.

For the past two years, Richard has actively fundraised to meet the cost of the trip.

His efforts have included curry nights at the Bailey home and the making and selling of marmalade and jelly, all with the help of mum Lesley.

After the trip was paid for, Richard and Lesley donated the rest of the money to the Rev. Richard Bellinger for the Caritas Community Charitable Trust.

The cheque for £250 was gratefully received.

The Guernsey-based trust works hard to help young people who have lost their way in life integrate back into society.

They have a working market garden that helps raise money, but the trust's aim is to one day have a residential home, which is obviously an expensive ambition.

Mr Bellinger has very close ties to Herm, taking a monthly Holy Communion in St Tugual's Chapel and other services involving the schoolchildren.

Any Herm visitors wishing to donate to the trust can do so via the chapel.