Martin Moran Foundation's First Mountain Adventure Programme Is A Hit!

Mountain Equipment partner, Martin Moran Foundation, recently sent its first group of young people, aged between 16 and 18, on a mountain adventure course, led by experienced mountain guide Tim Neill and instructors Adele Pennington and Alex Moran, Martin’s son. The Programme offers high-level instruction for the next generation of young adventurers.

The eight participants spent the week at Badaguish Lodge enjoying mountain-based activities and learning, including scrambling and navigation on the Cairngorm plateau. They also experienced rock climbing in the valley, learning in-depth about rope work and technique. Safety skills were hugely important during the Programme. They allow the young people to take their skills with them so they can safely spend more time outdoors in the future. Whilst the Martin Moran Foundation Mountain Adventure Programme focuses on offering experience in the mountains, it was important to his family – the Co-Founders of the Foundation – that the young people had fun. Hazel Moran, Director of Communications, said: “Most importantly, we make sure we have a load of fun in the process. It really is the essence of adventure in the outdoors. It elevates our mood and puts a smile on everyone’s face”.

The young people were all selected through schools, youth organisations and Scout groups, supported by youth leaders who felt the participants would benefit from the Programme. They were all enthusiastic about adventure but were facing barriers to accessing the great outdoors.

The trip offered lots of stand-outs, including a participant overcoming his fear of heights during his first abseil and several participants completing their first lead climb and first Munro. Hazel said: “It gave them a real rush of confidence in their abilities. Our first Mountain Adventure Programme was a huge success!”.

Following Martin Moran’s death in 2019, the family had many conversations on how best to honour their dad’s legacy. The family had grown up in the mountains, and they recognised the disparity in young people’s access to adventure across the UK. The Foundation’s mission is to make a difference to the next generation of adventurers. “I know Dad would be so happy to see young people out enjoying the mountains he loved so much.” Hazel finished.

This is the first course of what the Martin Moran Foundation hope to be many. It’s the Foundation’s first year, and the team were proud of the successful Programme they had created. But, like all charitable organisations, they rely on fundraising and donations to continue. Mountain Equipment support the Martin Moran Foundation through donations and by offering clothing and equipment for the young people to use during, and to take home after, the course. The Foundation hopes to expand its operations going forward by encouraging anyone who would like to support them to head to their website and get involved. You don’t have to contribute financially, if you know of a young person who many benefit from the Mountain Adventure Programme you can nominate them online too.

Martin’s family set up the Foundation to honour his extraordinary life and climbing accolades, but also to carry forward his belief that the joy of mountaineering should be an experience open to everyone.

Dedicated to promoting the positive impact of mountain adventure on young people’s mental health and wellbeing, the Martin Moran Foundation provides all-expenses-paid training programmes for 16 to 18-year-olds across the UK who are passionate about the outdoors.

Visit www.martinmoranfoundation.co.uk