New charity to inspire students to achieve their dreams

Spearheaded by Blackpool-born founders Andrew and Tracey Finlayson, students were given a presentation of the pair recalling stories of their recent expedition to the summit of Kilimanjaro, with the skills, scares and life lessons learnt along the way taking centre stage.

Baines headteacher Alison Chapman told the Gazette: “The aim was to inspire our students to believe they can achieve their dreams with hard work, grit and determination.

“Baines is committed to creating a strong partnership with BecomingX to help create a world where everyone can aspire to reach their potential and to be brave enough when opportunities arise.”

The positive impressions were reciprocated by Andrew, who said: “My wife and I were both humbled by how passionate the staff within the school were in helping inspire the kids.”

Launching in late 2018, BecomingX helps to fund expeditions to the summit of Kilimanjaro and the base camp of Mount Everest, while also conducting interviews with “Presidents, Nobel Peace Prize winners, CEOs, Olympic Gold Medallists, adventurers, academics and people with amazing stories and experiences to share”, so children can learn from their determination.

The goal of reaching over 100 million people may seem ambitious for some, but for Andrew and Tracey Finlayson, that number is only the start of a worldwide mission to inspire young people.

Jack Penswick