British Exploring Society is a youth development charity founded in 1932 by Surgeon Commander George Muray Levick RN, a member of Captains Scott’s final Antarctic expedition (1910-1913).

While much has changed since the 1930s, the core of Murray Levick’s concept - young people preparing for life by developing resilience and confidence through adventure and learning in a remote wilderness in small self-contained groups - remains at the heart of our work.

Today, we work with young people aged 14-25 years from across the UK, and while any young person can apply to join our programmes, we’re particularly focussed on finding and supporting those who may never consider an adventure or expedition for themselves, as they are the ones likely to benefit most from what we do.

This year feels particularly personal; as a trustee, I have seen how hard the team have been working to make this year's adventures happen, and I have seen how vital and important what they do is. The importance of resilience, confidence and problem solving is greater today than it has ever been, I have also spent time in the Arctic, and in remote wildernesses, and know how important this work is.