Gavin Bate

Gavin is a remarkable person. As a 21 year old, he walked across the Sahara Desert by himself - a three month journey that nearly cost him his life. The isolation and challenge of this trip focused him and his life from that point forward. A former Coleraine Scout leader, Gavin worked tirelessly with young people in N. Ireland before his travels opened his eyes to the hugh needs of so many people, whose lives were merely a painful existance. Through his company, Alternative Adventure and his charity Moving Mountains he has built and manages orphanages, schools, clinics, water wells, housing and other support facilities in countries such as Kenya, Nepal, Tanzania. He uses his company to pay for all the overheads of his charity so that 100% of every donation goes directly to people who need it most. The main tenor of Moving Mountains is to positively develop the lives of young people who have no support, guidance or direction and who live in adverse conditions. Gavin is best known for his six climbs of Mount Everest, ventures which raised very significaly funds for his charity. He is revered in Nepal for his personal interest, involvement and support of the local community, when he is preparing for and during his Everest climbs. He believes in developing local people to run their local operations. He is proud that Kelly, who formally tried to pick his pocket, is now a director of Adventure Alternative in Kenya. www.movingmountains .org.uk