James Hooper And Rob Gauntlett

[Wuppertal]

According to the article, £100,000 in debt...if that is true, I would certainly go on the public speaking circuit, à la Mrs. Blair - they could earn it all back in an hour!

[Great Plum]

That is quite some debt - was this always anticipated?

[Mid A 15]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/wo ... 218954.ece

Article from The Currant Bun

[DavebytheSea]

2 years ago James Hooper came down to Cornwall and spoke first to 6th formers at Truro School and then to Old Blues from Devon and Cornwall. Fresh from climbing Everest with Rob, he spoke of their plans to travel from Pole to Pole using only manpower. He also promised a return visit.

Well, James sort of kept his promise yesterday when Rob Gauntlett and Lucinda Hutchins paid a visit to the Truro School Burrell Society. To a large and voluntary audience of sixth formers (and one Cornish Old Blue invited to the school for lunch with Rob and a sixth form organising committee) Rob spoke movingly of how at Christ's Hospital he and James first began to dream of Everest and prepare for the epic challenges that they have undertaken together. Once again, the students (as they had done with James) voted Rob the most inspiring speaker so far this year and over lunch some told him how they too were adopting and preparing for their own challenges - one lad is climbing in the Himalayas next summer while two of the girls are daily swimming in Cornish waters to prepare for their cross-Channel swim in 2009.

Rob emphasised that challenges need not be heroic in nature. He made it clear that there were other equally demanding goals which people of all ages can set themselves. The common factors were focus and commitment which were equally important whether aiming for the summit of Everest or a place at an Oxford College.

Both Rob and James are superb inspirational speakers whether it be in a business environment or in a school. Obviously, their extreme youth (they are still only 21) makes them very appealing to the younger generation, and any school would do well to consider booking them - it is not mere coincidence that Truro School has such high academic achievement when one considers the importance laid there upon the development of excellence and realising a child's full potential.

Rob and Lucinda will, I hope, return to Cornwall next year to speak to Cornish Old Blues and perhaps to do some sailing.