Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield

Ulysses Trust Award Scheme

The scheme was launched at the Trust’s 20th Anniversary Reception.

Objectives

• To raise the present standard of expedition reports produced by beneficiaries of the Trust, in order that the Trust in turn provide better evidence of outcomes to those who support the Trust.
• To raise the public profile of the Trust through the process of Award Ceremonies.
• To raise both the aspirations of those planning projects supported by the Trust, and the professionalism with which they are conducted.
• To enhance our fund-raising, by providing a means of financial sponsorship from either commercial organisations or private individuals by having them associated with a particular Award.

Criteria

To start the scheme, four awards were made for 2011 projects – two for Volunteer Reserve Units and two for Cadets - based for each on:

• Best expedition photography
• Best overall expedition

The prime evidence used in judging these Awards are post expedition reports that the Trust requires as a condition of its grants. Initially screened by the Operations Director and PR Officer, a final judgment was made by the Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Applications Committee, based on the following criteria:

Best Expedition:

• Ambition of the project
• Outcomes achieved for unit, participants and 3rd parties (if appropriate)
• Numbers benefitting
• Execution
• Quality of report

Best Photography:

• Impact
• Artistic Appeal
• Quality
• Contextual value

Results for 2011

The Volunteer Reserve certificates, presented by Ian Hannam, were awarded to:

• Best Expedition Photography. Sheffield UOTC – Ex CUTLERS CHALLENGE. The images included as part of their report on an ambitious mountaineering expedition to the Alps were considered the best in reflecting the challenges and benefits for a team consisting mainly of alpine novices. Expedition report
• Best Expedition. HQ TRG (A) Special Forces Team – Ex ANTARCTIC ODYSSEY. A bold, ground-breaking for the TA, 4-man expedition Antarctica to climb Mt Vinsen, as part of a wider project to climb the highest mountain in each of the seven continents – now successfully concluded. Expedition report

The Cadet Certificates, presented by CDS, were awarded to:

• Best Expedition Photography. Kent Wing ATC – Ex CHALLENGE KENYA. A commendable expedition to climb Pt Lenana (4958m) on Mt Kenya, followed by a community project for a school in the Masai Mara. The accompanying imagery well captured the nature of the experience and its impact on the participants. Expedition report
• Best Expedition. Kelvinside Academy CCF – Ex CORSE VENTURE. The GR (Grand Randonee) 20 covers a 200 km route along the mountainous spine of Corsica to heights of 10,000 ft, and is one of the toughest mountain treks in Europe. The entire team of teenage cadets completed this impressive achievement, and was topped off by an inspiring report written by one of the Cadets, which really conveyed the value of the experience. Expedition report