Antarctic explorer treks to Letchworth to give talk to youth group about expedition to South Pole

Antony Jinman. (Image: Archant)

Antony Jinman – who had travelled the shorter distance from Plymouth to be with St Hugh’s Youth Group – spoke to children on the intricate details of his experience, as well as wider issues such as climate change.

Having harboured an ambition to trek to the South Pole since the age of nine, Antony went first to the North Pole in 2010, and then four years later to the Antarctic, skiing 730 miles solo in just 46 days.

The 34-year-old is only the 12th Briton to have achieved this feat, and now travels widely, visiting schools and workplaces to share his experiences.

The children learned about the food Antony ate, how to avoid frostbite, and how to go to the toilet in temperatures of minus 20o Celsius.

Alan Noghiu and Cosmo Adam, both from Year 5 at St Thomas More School try on the latest in polar fashion. (Image: Archant)

Youth group chairman Clare Adam was delighted at the response the polar explorer elicited from the children.

“More than 50 children came to listen to Antony, and lots of the parents stayed too,” she said.

“It was a fascinating insight into an amazing adventure most people will never experience.

“I’ve never seen them so enthralled and attentive, until it was time to ask him questions – then they definitely weren’t so quiet!

Polor explorer Antony Jinman with members of St Hugh’s Youth Group, Letchworth. (Image: Archant)

“He was just brilliant. The children are already asking when he will come back to give a talk on his trip to the North Pole.”

The talk held extra poignancy because at the end of January British explorer Henry Worsley was on the brink of being the first man to cross the Antarctic unaided before he died of organ failure, just 30 miles short of completing the record.

To find out more about Antony’s polar adventures you can visit www.etelivelearning.org.

Polor explorer Antony Jinman with members of St Hugh’s Youth Group, Letchworth. (Image: Archant)