VOICES FOR THE WILD is a celebration of wilderness, exploration and nature’s value to the human spirit.
Join a range of well known and respected explorers, writers and environmentalists who share their experiences and emotional connection to wild places. They are joined by young people who tell their personal stories of transformation through wilderness.
Cash bar from 6 pm.
Hosted by:
MIKE GUNTON
Creative Director of Factual and Natural History at BBC Studios and is best known for his role as executive producer of the inspiring BBC programme Dynasties, Planet Earth II, and Africa.
Sponsored by:
INVESTEC is proud to sponsor Voices for the Wild and the work of the Wilderness Foundation UK. The desire to make a meaningful contribution to the world we live in is at the heart of Investec’s values. Making an unselfish contribution to society, nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit, embracing diversity, and respecting others, underpin their aim to be a responsible corporate citizen. or more information, visit investec.com/csr.
Speakers:
YOUNG VOICES with SIMON THOMAS
Stories from inspirational young people who has directly benefited from the work of the Wilderness Foundation hosted by Simon Thomas, a TV presenter from Blue Peter and Sky sports. Having suffered a tragic bereavement, he has subsequently been involved with an ITV series on the benefits of nature on mental health. One part of the series included the work of the Wilderness Foundation UK.
ALASTAIR HUMPHREYS
https://www.alastairhumphreys.com/
Alastair was named as a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year for his pioneering work on the concept of microadventures, trying to encourage people to get outside, get out of their comfort zone, go somewhere they’ve never been. A microadventure is an adventure that is close to home, cheap, simple, short, and yet very effective.
BEN SAUNDERS
One of the world’s leading polar explorers, and a record-breaking long-distance skier who has covered more than 7,000km (4,350 miles) on foot in the Polar Regions since 2001.
SOPHIE MONTAGNE
https://www.instagram.com/mountain_sophie/
World Record holder for Ice Maiden – first female team to ski across Antarctica using muscle power alone. A London desk-dweller that hates the cold, Sophie had no relevant experience to bring to the Ice Maiden team, but was selected from 250 applicants to traverse the most remote wilderness on Earth.
SHIRIN SHABESTARI
https://www.instagram.com/persianpursuits/
Shirin Shabestari, an Iranian-born London-based mother of two, is the founder and director of Persian Pursuits, a UK based company that specialises in trekking, hiking and skiing expeditions in Iran. Shirin grew up in Iran climbing with her dad, where her passion began.
TIFFANY FRANCIS
A nature writer, author and artist from the South Downs in Hampshire, and author of Food You Can Forage and will sharing the story of her third book Dark Skies, inspired by a year exploring the landscape at night to see how we connect with nature after dark.
