TEENAGERS making the final preparations for their Himalayan trip of a lifetime have been given more than £3,000-worth of high-performance outdoor gear by Finnish tractor maker Valtra.
Each member of the Northallerton College Himalayan Expedition now has a top quality Berghaus waterproof jacket to keep the Nepalese elements at bay when they set off next month.
Valtra’s generous sponsorship came through Brian and Christine Robinson, who have run a successful agricultural machinery business from East Cowton, near Northallerton, for almost 30 years. Their business, Brian Robinson Machinery, employs 15 and has been a Valtra main dealer for more than 20 years. Their 16-year-old son George is among the 16 Everest-bound Northallerton College students.
The team has spent many months raising £45,000 to pay for the three- week trek to Everest Base Camp, with a wide range of local fundraising activities.
Mark Broom, managing director of Valtra Tractors UK, said: "Having met with some of the team members, we’ve seen how determined they all were to raise the necessary funds.
"Ruggedness and hardworking tenacity are qualities we really value at Valtra, and we’ve been impressed by the Northallerton College team’s dedication.
"We were delighted to be asked to support the expedition and we wish everyone involved in the trip the best of luck in accomplishing their goals and a safe return to the UK."
Expedition leader Kenny Toner said: "We’d like to thank Valtra for their generosity. These high-tech Gore-Tex jackets are perfect and, with their expedition logos and embroidered names, they give the team a great sense of unity."
While in the Himalayan kingdom, the students and their three leaders will also spend several days doing community work and teaching children at the Sir Edmund Hillary School in Khumjung, while they acclimatise.
Christine Robinson said: "We are really grateful to Valtra for being so supportive."
