Man who lost his leg in Mt Ruapehu eruption inspires Golden Bay students

Wednesday, 8 August 2018

Inspirational speaker and amputee William Pike, with students from Golden Bay High School

A man who lost his leg in the Mt Ruapehu eruption is inspiring Golden Bay students to be 'explorers' of their world.

Over 100 students from Golden Bay High School are taking part in the William Pike Challenge Award, a year-long self-development programme embracing outdoor activity, community service and passion.

The programme was set up by inspirational speaker, author and amputee William Pike, a 33 year-old Aucklander who knows first-hand the value of life-skills, resilience and relationships for overcoming big challenges.

On Monday, students from years 7-9 gathered to hear Pike's inspirational story about overcoming extreme adversity by developing an 'explorer mindset'.

Pike was one of two young climbers caught in a volcanic eruption on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu, in 2007.

When the hut where Pike was sleeping was showered in debris and rocks and his right leg pinned down and crushed, he was unable to escape. Forced to wait for his friend who had run for help, Pike said he was convinced he would never wake up as he slowly lost consciousness.

Days later he woke up in the Waikato Hospital to discover his right leg had been amputated below the knee.

While he was filled with gratitude to be alive, Pike said he knew his life would never be the same again. He faced a long road to rehabilitation and recovery.

William Pike has since returned to Mt Ruapehu many times, which claimed his right leg.

Pike said he learnt that by adopting an explorer mindset, he was once again able to embrace his love of the outdoors and education.

He has since returned to the hut on Mt Ruapehu which claimed his leg, and climbed Antarctica's Mt Scott.

Pike is now on a mission to inspire youngsters to be lifelong explorers through the challenge, which involves completing five outdoor activities, 20 hours of community service, and 20 hours working on a passion project.

He said he wanted youngsters to develop skills such as leadership, teamwork, courage, and critical thinking to help them tackle the rapid changes in technology and career opportunities.

'To achieve my goals, whether it be learning to walk, getting back in the classroom, or climbing in Antarctica, I had to be an explorer … it's not just the outdoors, it's all about the mind-set, and we can all be explorers in our own world.'

Golden Bay High School teacher Sue Mitchison, who is leading the programme, said it would offer an 'exciting pathway' for education outside the classroom and in the health and physical education learning area.

'The establishment of positive connections across home, school, peer and community life is one of the many outcomes we look forward to.'

Students Pippa Struck and Phoebe Potts said they were involved in a Bully Busters programme as part of their community service, and coaching tennis.

Other activities children are taking part in include tramping the Abel Tasman, caving, trapping rats and stoats with the Department of Conservation, making Boomerang Bags, and cleaning up beaches.

The high school is one of 72 schools and 2437 students taking part in 2018.