The Rob Gauntlett and James Atkinson Memorial Ride

Introduction

27.07.09 - Update from James Hooper

Cycle © 180 Degrees

Dear Friends and Supporters of 180 degrees,

Earlier this year, two young adventurous men, Rob Gauntlett and James Atkinson, died in a tragic climbing accident in the French Alps. The incident was widely covered in the UK national press, as over the previous few years Rob had not only become the Youngest Briton to summit Mount Everest, but also completed the first ever journey from Pole to Pole using only human and natural power.

James Atkinson, if you did not know him, was a great friend to both Rob and I at school, and was a highly motivated individual who between two stints of helping to manage the 180 Degrees expedition from the UK spent six months in Nepal working in a school and mountaineering. He was in his second year at Durham University.

It has now been over a year since Rob and I returned home after completing the expedition, a year which began very positively, but unfortunately following Rob and James Atkinson's accident has contained much sadness also. Rob and I had begun a programme of visiting dozens of schools throughout the UK, delivering multimedia presentations based on our journey, and trying to encourage other young people to believe in themselves and make the most of all their opportunities. In November, we had the honour of being awarded National Geographic Adventurers of the Year 2008, and shortly after were supported to become the youngest Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society. We were working hard on getting a book commissioned and producing a documentary from the footage we shot, something that continues to prove very difficult, but which I am determined to complete to share our story, and allow others to know Rob and benefit from his qualities.

Taking inspiration from both Rob and James Atkinson, their ambition, and their desire to positively affect those around them, we have decided to set up initiatives in their names so that their legacies can live on:

The Rob Gauntlett Trust aims to provide exceptional and life changing experiences to underprivileged teenagers. By challenging these individuals to accomplish a physical adventure in an environment that is foreign to them, the Trust will push them beyond their perceived boundaries whilst teaching them social and environmental responsibility. These young people will then be asked to speak about their experience, thereby encouraging and inspiring their friends and community to achieve their dreams (a message that Rob continuously strived to promote).

The James Atkinson Bequest is to benefit pupils at Christ's Hospital School (which James and Rob attended) in pursuing activities such as cycling and climbing that were so fundamental to the lives of James and Rob.

We have decided that our inaugural fundraising scheme will be to undertake a challenge which both boys had completed; cycling from John O' Groats (The most North-Easterly point of Scotland & the UK) to Land's End (The most South-Westerly point of England & the UK). The ride will take place between the 3rd - 15th August 2009 and at least 40 friends and family of Rob and James, many of whom hadn't cycled for years, even decades, will take part in the ride which will cover almost 1000 miles over a period of 13 days, cycling between 8 - 12 hours each day, through changing weather and undulating terrain. This group has been inspired by the actions of the two friends which it remembers. The challenge has a website www.onemilecloser.com and any of you who would like to join us, for the whole ride or just a day will be very welcome.

I am writing to you, to ask if you, your friends, and anyone you know who was affected by 180 degrees would help us raise money for either or both of the initiatives, by sponsoring me to complete this challenge. I have attached a sponsorship form below. By supporting these, we are allowing others, in future generations to be inspired by them and be able to enjoy some of the same life changing opportunities and experiences. It is of course a difficult time to raise any money, but with our collective enthusiasm and energy we have the ability to get both The James Atkinson Bequest and The Rob Gauntlett Trust off to a flying start.

Thank you ever so much to take the time to read this email, I hugely appreciate all your support and I look forward to hearing from you soon,

With Best Wishes,

James