The St Hugh's record breakers
Two St Hugh’s Biology finalists are taking time off from revision to plan expeditions that promise to break records and make headlines around the world. Both students have been motivated by personal tragedy to make the trips and raise thousands of pounds for important medical charities. The Queen has expressed her “warm good wishes” for one of the expeditioners, while David Cameron has praised his “skill and courage”.
Sarah Outen, a third-year biologist at St Hugh’s, plans to be the first woman in the world to row unaccompanied across the Indian Ocean from Australia to Mauritius in 2009. The journey of 3000 miles will take three to four months. Outen is dedicating the trip to the memory of her father and hopes to raise £20,000 for charity. Outen said, “It is all dedicated to the memory of my lovely Dad, who died very suddenly the week before my Part Finals, in June last year.
Outen’s father had been plagued by rheumatoid arthritis for nearly 20 years before succumbing to the painful disease. Outen wants to raise £20,000 for Arthritis Research Campaign (Arc). She said, “I want to raise the money for a charity that is intensely personal to me and my family.” Outen has already managed to raise almost £3000 by participating and being sponsored in the upcoming London and Blackpool Marathons.
Amy Bryant, an English student at St Hugh’s and friend of Outen, said, “Sarah’s determination to achieve her goal has been astonishing. Having rowed with Sarah, I know that her desire to succeed will act as the driving force of her journey.” Outen’s boyfriend, Alexander Way, also at St Hugh’s, said, “Sarah has turned the shock and sadness of her loss into something positive, something that will help others, something for the future. I have so much admiration for her.
Alex Hibbert, a third-year zoologist at St Hugh’s, plans to lead a team to the South Pole on a route that has never been taken before. Hibbert’s team of four will ski for the entirety of their 1000-mile journey through conditions of minus 40 degrees, 70 mph winds, mile-deep crevasses and huge ice ridges. The team is raising money for Cancer Research UK and Maggie’s Cancer Centres.
Hibbert explained, “We support them because Rich, a teammember, has survived testicular cancer twice in the last five years. It’s a very personal challenge for us.” The expedition is supported by the Queen, who said, “Warm good wishes to the team for the success of the expedition”. David Cameron said, “This is clearly a most ambitious project, requiring a great deal of skill and courage.
St Hugh’s College Principal said, “The trips that Sarah and Alex are planning are a source of delight and fascination to their College community. I personally admire them both as they take on such challenges, born out of a seriousness of mind, commitment to others, and a desire to push themselves to their limits.” “Sarah has turned the shock and sadness of her loss into something positive, something that will help others.
19th Apr 2007