Bristol’s Elected Mayor Marvin Rees waved off a coachload of school children from the city as they set off for a week-long wild country adventure in the Snowdonia National Park.

South West-based coach company Bakers Dolphin took the party of 48 students, aged between 13 and 15, from three different city schools for a five-day Outward Bound experience in Aberdovey.

The trip was the result of a partnership between the Avon Outward Bound Association (AOBA), the Outward Bound Trust, the main sponsor the Society of Merchant Venturers, the Elected Bristol Mayor’s Office and secondary schools who recognise the value of outdoor learning.

The party was made up of teenagers from Merchants’ Academy in Withywood, Bridge Learning Campus in Hartcliffe and Montpelier High School.

During the week, they took part in a range of tough challenges, including abseiling, kayaking, climbing, rope challenges and other activities designed to help boost their self-confidence, esteem and to help them better understand the benefits of positive team working.

Bob Jennings, Chairman of Avon Outward Bound Association, said: “Many of these children’s lives were affected by the impact of the Covid pandemic, school closures and lockdowns.

“Not being able to go to school or do outdoor activities means they’ve missed out on the chance to develop lifeskills and experiences, which is where the partnership we are members of comes in.

“Mayor Marvin Rees took part in an Outward Bound course himself when he was younger and has often spoken about how it made such a positive difference to him and was a brilliant experience.

“We needed a reliable and responsible transport partner to get the young people to and from Snowdonia, which is why we chose Bakers Dolphin.”

Helen Haskell, Coach Hire Sales Manager for Bakers Dolphin, said: “We were proud to be chosen to support a partnership which does something so positive and provides opportunities for local teenagers which they might otherwise never get to experience.

“Our drivers enjoy hearing the youngsters talk about what they are looking forward to on the way there, and about everything they got up to when they are on their way back; it helps to make the travelling itself an enjoyable experience.”

To find out more about the wide range of day trips, short breaks and excursions that Bakers Dolphin run, visit www.bakersdolphin.com or call in on 01934 415 000.