South Hams explorer, Antony Jinman has recently returned from a polar expedition with Year 5 pupils from Plymouth.

The pupils, from Marine Academy Plymouth, Riverside Community Primary School and Tamar View and the Barne Barton Youth Club, spent a week experiencing life in Lapland, Finland, exploring Sami culture, Husky safari and the Northern Lights - all in temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celcius.

Polar adventurers, Antony Jinman and Paul Hart put together the project under Antony’s Education Through Expeditions program, which he founded in 2010 and is based at Plymouth Science Park.

This was Antony’s 20th expedition to the Arctic and he is the twelfth Briton to ski to both the geographic North Pole and solo to the South Pole.

Antony, who grew up in Wembury, but now lives near Shipley Bridge on Dartmoor, said: “I really enjoy taking people up to Lapland to explore life in the Arctic Circle

“We work with these schools, because many of the pupils there are suffering severe depravation. Next year, these pupils will be trip ambassadors for the year below, and be in a position to help them prepare for the expedition. In doing so, they will develop self-confidence, and be able to impart their legacy and skills.”

Miss Charlie Smith, teacher at Marine Academy said: “It has been a privilege working with the ETE team, staff at Marine Academy and the children from both schools on this project. Not only has the trip created life-long memories for all involved, but I look forward to seeing the short and long-term impact that this adventure is sure to have on the children’s futures, and how they will be able to inspire those around them through their incredible experiences.”

The Education Through Experience team have been working incredibly hard over recent months to see the expedition become a reality through their crowd-funding campaign. The team managed to raise more than their £35,000 target, with support from North Yard Community Trust, Nat-West Skills and Opportunity Fund, Plymouth Community Homes, Plymouth City Council’s City Change Fund, Teekay Shipping, Polygiene, Berghaus and Trinity Insurance.

Antony is now looking for opportunities to work with young people in the Ivybridge and South Brent areas to promote exploration and adventure. He has also recently been appointed explorer-in-residence at the Plymouth History Centre, due to open in 2020.

For further information, or to get in touch with Antony, visit his website www.antonyjinman.com.