Isla Burston Aims to Become Youngest Scot to Ski to the South Pole

That the Parliament congratulates 17-year-old Isla Burston, from Kinghorn, on her ambition to become the youngest Scot ever to ski to the South Pole; understands that Isla is currently training to undertake the record-breaking expedition in 2028, supported by The Polar Academy, a charity founded by polar explorer Craig Mathieson that works with young people facing challenges to help build their confidence, resilience and self-belief; understands that Isla joined The Polar Academy after experiencing severe anxiety and bullying during her time at high school; recognises what it sees as her remarkable transformation through the programme, progressing from struggling with anxiety to undertaking intensive physical and mental training, and successfully completing an Arctic expedition in Finland; understands that Isla has since undertaken a wild camping expedition in Greenland and is continuing her preparations through polar training, endurance work, tyre hauling and developing her knowledge of specialist equipment and survival skills; further understands that she plans to undertake further polar training in Norway in February as she prepares for the challenges of Antarctica; acknowledges that Isla is seeking to raise £90,000 to make the South Pole expedition possible; commends The Polar Academy and Craig Mathieson for the support and encouragement that they have provided to Isla and other young people; believes that Isla’s journey demonstrates the positive impact that encouragement, opportunity and belief can have on young people facing significant personal challenges, and wishes Isla every success with her training, fundraising and her historic South Pole expedition in 2028.