Blind, deaf, disabled youngsters sought

Press, 14 January 1986, Page 6

Blind, deaf, disabled youngsters sought

NZPA-PA London A British charity is seeking 15 disadvantaged youngsters to make the journey of a lifetime across the Australian outback. They must be physically, medically, emotionally or socially disadvantaged, aged between 13 and 19, and live in an urban area. The journey is being organised by JOLT (Journey of a Life Time) Trust in north-west London, whose patron is Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the Transglobe explorer. A spokesman

day: “We are very keen to take youngsters who are deaf or blind or physically disabled, or have shortened life expectancies. “Young people who have struggled to overcome problems, who are orphaned, who have been brought up by a single parent or who have had difficult chidhoods should also apply.” The youngsters, accompanied by two teachers and a doctor, will fly to Adelaide in July and spend four weeks travelling overland through the Australian outback to Darwin. They will cover vast dis-

tances by rail, road and dirt track, and short distances by boat, camel and balloon; climb Ayers Rock; pan for gold; cross deserts, and journey through tropical forests. Each young person chosen will have to raise £4OO ($1152) towards the cost of the adventure. The remaining £l6OO ($4600) for each child will be paid for by the trust. More than 100 companies and institutions have donated money. King Hussein of Jordan is among the sponsors.