Breadcrumbs
Ben Nevis trek to stop rampaging elephants
27 August 2010
AN INTREPID Perth team will today attempt to scale Ben Nevis and raise crucial cash to help stop an Asian community being ravaged by wild elephants, writes Johnathon Menzies from the Perthshire Advertiser.
Ten workmates from the Fair City's Student Support Centre, situated inside the Arran House business centre on Arran Road, are undertaking the 4406-foot trek to raise money for global charity World Vision.
The good cause presides over projects in the Nalitabari region in Bangladesh, including measures designed to stop the imposingly large herbivores destroying local houses.
Each year, the elephants come into contact with humans when they enter villages in search of food during the rice and fruit harvesting seasons.
Around 30 family abodes in a settlement called Panihata have been wrecked by a 30-strong herd resident in the area since early June.
A World Vision representive stressed locals are struggling to prevent the devastation, adding: "Until now, communities have tried using burning torches to ward off the elephants. However, these have had a very limited affect. As a result of the most recent attacks, villagers in the area are staying awake at night to try and protect against further damage."
Peter Lightbody will be one of those attempting to conquer the 4406-foot peak, near Fort William, this afternoon. The general manager said: "We all know that climbing Ben Nevis is not going to be easy, but we're up for the challenge. Although we're climbing novices, I'm pretty confident that we'll succeed. It's been a great team-building exercise. I'm sure we're going to have a lot of fun as well as raising money for an important cause. We regularly donate money to World Vision because like us, they have links in the education sector."
The Student Support Centre opened its doors in 1991 and offers home-based tuition programmes for children across the UK between the ages of five and 17 years of age.
To pledge support to the groups, who have already raised £500, visit www.justgiving.com/scotland-student-support-centre
Article published on August 27, 2010 by Johnathon Menzies from the Perthshire Advertiser.
