STUDENTS were inspired to tackle their fears and never give up by a polar explorer.

Reservist Major Sandy Hennis spoke to pupils at St John’s School and Sixth Form College, A Catholic Academy, in Bishop Auckland, and was a special guest at its Duke of Edinburgh Awards night recently.

The Royal Signals major was among the first female team of polar novices to ski across the Antarctic.

She was invited by academy arts co-ordinator Jaquie Holloway.

Mrs Holloway’s son Richard, a member of the elite Special Boat Service, was Major Hennis’ boyfriend before he was killed during an operation against Taliban insurgents in 2013.

Major Hennis said: “Rich showed me that you have to make the most of every moment of your life. I realised that many girls struggle with their confidence and the physical side of life so I signed up.”

After a tough two-year selection and training process, Major Hennis became part of the six-strong Ice Maiden team.She was plunged into freezing cold water, lived in snow holes, faced her fear of falling by jumping into a crevasse and learnt to use Norwegian skis.The group set off on November 20, 2017, and spent 62 days skiing 1,000 miles across Antarctica.

Major Hennis told youngsters: “We all have fears but we can all get over them. You can push yourself so much further than you think is possible.

“The best thing about the expedition was being part of a team which was trying to achieve something unique. We were not only the first female team to ski coast to coast, we were the first novices to do so. We managed this through detailed planning, training, asking lots of questions and breaking it down into manageable chunks.”

She urged students never to be put off by others or give up on their dreams and to rely on their determination to succeed.

Mrs Holloway said: “Sandy’s achievements are truly astonishing and certainly inspired and motivated our students.

“They had lots of great questions for her and they could see how the qualities which got her to the South Pole and across Antarctica could be applied to their lives, hopes and dreams.”