Free skiing for kids with new ski bursary scheme

Secondary schools across the UK are being given the chance to apply for a ski bursary scheme run by the Ski Club of Great Britain. Launched last autumn, the bursary of £500 per school will be awarded to six schools and used to give children a chance to give skiing or snowboarding a go.

The bursary was set up after Ski Club member Thomas Lang left the Ski Club a sum of money when he died and it was agreed the money should be used to get more young people skiing. The bursary can be used by schools in a variety of ways from assisting a deserving child on a ski trip to funding a class trip to a UK ski slope.

This is the second year the scheme has been run, and last November six schools were awarded the bursary after being randomly picked from over 500 entrants.

Cheltenham Bournside School took 60 pupils to Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre as a reward for working hard over the winter term. The trip was received with delight from the students and the teachers and it is hoped to make the outing an annual event. The singing on the bus on the way home was testament to the fun the children had.

As one of the pupils said: “Skiing was excellent and something I didn’t think I would ever do. It was really fun and a new exciting skill to learn. The instructors were great and have urged me to carry on. So thanks to the teachers who organised it and thanks to my friends for making it such a fun event."

Schools have until 31st October 2008 to apply for this year's Thomas Lang Schools Ski Bursary. The application form can be filled in online on the Ski Club’s website at skiclub.co.uk.