Help save endangered geckos in the Cairngorms
A climbing group for children in the strath is looking for a new lead person.
The Cairngorm Geckos Climbing Club based at sportscotland’s national outdoor training centre – Glenmore Lodge – is appealing for a new chairman or chairwoman.
Club secretary Lois MacIver said: “There are 12 members – restricted due to the size of the climbing wall at the lodge – from age eight to 18.
“Some of our older climbers have gone on to volunteer with the club.
“It would be preferable to have climbing experience but that is not essential. Three members of the committee are not climbers.
“There is loads of support available from Climb Scotland for anyone prepared to take on the role. We are a small club but dynamic club and the work being done is brilliant for developing young climbers.”
The club has been running successfully for eight years with one group aimed mainly at primary school children and the other for secondary school aged kids.
The club meets on Wednesday nights usually during school term time with occasional trips to other climbing walls and outdoor venues through the year.
Former chair, Julia Jones, who recently stepped down from the role she has held since the club’s inception, said: “The club is at risk of folding if we can’t find a sustainable solution.”
She explained: “Understandably parents are reluctant to take on the chair role when they don’t have any climbing knowledge.
“The committee wonders if there is someone local or in the Scottish climbing and mountaineering circle who may consider taking on this role to support our local young climbers.”
Mrs Jones added: “We have an amazing committee and are well supported by Glenmore Lodge with free use of the wall.”
More details are available by emailing geckossecretary@gmail.com
