Cycling across Mongolia, snowshoeing in the Alps and exploring the depths of Scapa Flow are some of the highlights of The Ulysses Trust’s 2019 Prince of Wales’s Expeditionary Awards.
Each year the Trust presents the awards for the best expeditions it has supported in the previous year. These awards highlight the very best in leadership, challenge, courage and planning. The categories are: Cadet Forces, Volunteer Reserve Forces and University Officers’ Training Corps Units. Each of the award-winning units will receive a unique certificate signed by The Ulysses Trust’s patron, HRH The Prince of Wales.
CADET CATEGORY
EXERCISE: TIGER VENTURE MATRAVERS 2019
On 17th February 2019, cadets from the Matravers CCF deployed to the Alpes Maritime in Mercantour National Park, France. This was the unit’s first overseas expedition and one that The Ulysses Trust was delighted to support, since Matravers CCF is a new cadet unit, formed in 2017 under the Government’s Cadet Expansion Programme. This state funded school has a high percentage of disadvantaged pupils and the cadets who took part in this expedition all came from this cohort. The cadets spent a demanding week trekking on snow shoes through the Alpes Maritime learning not only snow skills but also the ecology and the history of this alpine environment. The expedition demonstrated that such adventurous activities can make a huge difference to the lives of young people from Matravers School. It has also supported the development of this new CCF detachment. The Trust granted £3,000 to the expedition.
RESERVIST CATEGORY
EXERCISE: NORTHERN SCAPA TARTAN
2019 marked the centenary of the scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet in Scapa Flow after the end of the First World War and the SCAPA 100 project encouraged divers to dive the multitude of wrecks and salvage sites to commemorate this centenary. On 12th October 5 members of 7 SCOTS deployed to Scapa Flow to develop their diving skills and improve some of the more technical aspects of deeper and longer diving such as decompression procedures. Diving in a dry suit in the cold UK waters was a skill in itself. The reservists had to cope with the dark waters of the Scapa Flow and, pushing themselves well beyond their comfort zones, they dived down to inspect the impressive wreck of SMS Konig, one of three battleships, lying in 38 metres of water, as well as many other sites. This was an excellent example of a great expedition that was undertaken close at home, thus minimising transport costs and environmental impact but at the same time meeting all The Ulysses Trust criteria. The Trust granted £1,500.00 to the expedition.
UNIVERSITY CATEGORY
EXERCISE: MONGOLIAN ENDURANCE 2019
From 22nd August to 7th September 2019, 11 students from East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron (ESUAS) and 3 mountain bike instructors deployed to the remote Mongolian countryside, to cycle 680 kilometres across deserts, steppe and mountains. The aim of the expedition was to utilise the harsh Mongolian landscape to enhance the attributes of leadership, self-sufficiency, physical and mental endurance, teamwork and risk management. The expedition was made up of 3 stages starting with a three-day ride across the Ghobi desert; Stage 2 comprised cycling 70 kms through the Arts Bogd mountains; and the final stage was spent in the Khangai mountains. This ambitious and physically challenging expedition has had a significant impact on the unit, boosting morale and improving recruitment and retention. The Trust granted £6,000:00 to the expedition.
Formal certificate presentations will be made later this year. Details will be announced on our website. For further details please contact Paul Randall on M: 0774 141 2371 paul.randall@ulyssestrust.co.uk.