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The Polar Academy aims to unlock the potential within the 'invisible and forgotten' young adults and turn them into positive role models for their communities.

My 15yr old Daughter Iona Somerville, has been carefully selected along with 9 other Edinburgh teenagers from 5 different schools in Edinburgh to go on a 10 day trek in Greenland in March 2016.  The team will be skiing 8 hours a day across sea ice, dragging 45kg sledges through unnamed valleys and mountains, conducting scientific experiments and camping underneath the Northern Lights.  Temperatures will drop as low as -20.  It's going to be mentally and physically tough, they are going to be pushed to their limits.  Training has already begun with several months ahead.

The Polar Academy is run and managed by Craig Mathieson, an accomplished and respected explorer.  In 2013 he was awarded the title of 'Explorer in Residence' by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.  He and his expert Team along with an Edinburgh Teacher will be accompanying the Team.  Iona and the Team are in great hands and what they will learn and achieve will be invaluable.

On their return, Iona and rest of the Team will become role models, sharing their experiences with 1000s of others, encouraging them with their positivity, attitude and achievement.  It's going to be life changing, not only for Iona, the Team and the families but for the children and young people they inspire in the future.

Iona is doing a series of events to raise money for the Polar Academy.  Anything you could donate would be hugely appreciated.  

If you would like to learn more about The Polar Academy, website www.thepolaracademy.org or Facebook page - The Polar Academy.

Thank you so much from Iona (and a very proud Mum!).