William Pike was injured in an eruption on Mt Ruapehu
A man who lost a leg in a volcanic eruption on Mt Ruapehu
is to launch a scheme to encourage young people to experience
the outdoors.
In 2007, schoolteacher William Pike, then 23, had been
climbing on Mt Ruapehu when a "blue sky eruption" trapped him
under piles of rubble in a mountain hut.
He was saved after a daring alpine rescue.
As a result of his injuries, Mr Pike had a leg amputated
below the knee and spent many weeks recovering in Waikato
Hospital.
This week he will launch the inaugural William Pike Challenge
Award in Taupo.
The award was a programme designed for year seven and eight
students to encourage more young people to experience the
outdoors, organiser Paul Dawson said today.
Participants would do a mix of community service, such as
helping clean up ski areas, and take part in outdoor
activities such as climbing the central plateau mountains,
Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe.
Students who achieved this within a year would receive the
award, Mr Dawson said.
"We want young people to challenge themselves, learn new
skills and gain confidence through achieving in activities
they wouldn't normally get the opportunity to do."
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