Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Event to celebrate Battle Back Ecuador expedition
In May, an expedition team, led by experts from Leeds Met's Carnegie Great Outdoors (CGO), attempted to climb five peaks in the Ecuadorian Andes, culminating with Cotopaxi at 19,347ft (5,897m), one of the world's highest active volcanoes, to raise money for and awareness of the Royal British Legion's Battle Back Centre. The funds raised will help support the Centre's work which provides sports and adventurous activities for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.
The event will be held on Thursday 18 September at the University's Rose Bowl in Lecture Theatre A from 5.30pm and will offer an opportunity to hear from the team who will share their experiences about the Cotopaxi expedition. The team will also give an insight into the Battle Back facility and how it helps to boost self-confidence and improve motivation for many wounded, injured and sick Armed Forces personnel who have been through traumatic or life-changing experiences.
Serving soldiers who have benefitted from spending time at the Battle Back Centre climbed alongside MPs including Greg Mulholland, John Mann and Tracey Crouch and team members from lead sponsor, Coventry Building Society. The expedition was organised and led by CGO at Leeds Metropolitan University, a leading provider of outdoor education, adventure activities and leadership development.
CGO also provides world class coaching expertise at The Royal British Legion's Battle Back Centre. Activities at the Centre, including indoor climbing, water sports, archery, wheelchair basketball and clay shooting, help overcome physical and psychological challenges, promote self-confidence and improve motivation to aid recovery.
Speaking about the success of the expedition, Greg Mulholland MP, Member of Parliament for Leeds North West said: "This was the first expedition from the Battle Back Centre and it is great that it has proved a successful one both in terms of getting some team members on the summit of Cotopaxi but also and even more importantly, raising awareness of the important work of the Centre."
Dave Bunting, Head Coach at The Battle Back Centre and the expedition Leader with CGO, who also led the ground-breaking British Army Everest West Ridge Expedition in 2006, added: "Our courses at the Battle Back Centre are all about helping to boost self-confidence and improve motivation through adaptive sports for wounded, injured and sick soldiers, many who have been through traumatic or life-changing experiences. This event is a great opportunity to reflect on the experiences gained through the expedition in Ecuador and find out more about our future plans, working alongside the Battle Back Centre."