Borderland Rotary Club recently welcomed Rob Liddiatt, who gave an engaging presentation about his experience on the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) course last August.
Rob explained: “Although I’m a Flight Sergeant in the Air Cadets, I have always had trouble addressing people I don’t know. But being away on the Welsh coast and taking part in RYLA meant I was thrown in at the deep end from day one. We were all split into teams and immediately given tasks to work out and complete.
“I think I learnt a lot about problem solving, human nature and, above all, about myself. From caving to raft building, from completing tasks while blindfolded to climbing Cader Idris – it was quite a week. A week I’ll never forget. Thank you to Rotary for making it possible.”
Paul Crosby, a long-time member of Borderland Rotary Club, originally brought the RYLA concept from Australia to the UK in 2000. He then ran the event for more than 20 years at Arthog Outdoor Education Centre, near Fairbourne, where young people are challenged with activities designed to stretch both their minds and bodies.
Paul still takes an active interest in the programme and said: “I’m very proud of Rob, this year’s Borderland participant, and of what RYLA has achieved over the years. From the reports I’ve heard, it has been a milestone in many young people’s lives, and I really hope it continues for another quarter of a century – at least.”
Steve Jerman, Paul Crosby & Rob Liddiatt.
