Lance Ranger is an old Colfeian (1971-1979) and a lawyer. On 3
rd December he’s planning to walk and ski the last degree to the South Pole in
Antarctica, a gruelling trip lasting 10 days. Why? Because he wants to raise funds for the disabled
and much-neglected children of Mauritius.
The story behind Lance’s fundraising is a sad one. When his company founded their associate
office in Mauritius, Lance was struck by the lack of care on the island for children with
disabilities. Without help, these children would simply be left to face life as an invalid – at
worst bed-ridden and at best in a wheelchair. In addition, they would be deprived of any formal
education – the Mauritian government is unwilling to provide schooling for any child who is not
fully ‘independent’.
A year ago Lance, together with the local Rotary, helped build these children a day-care
centre, and funded two permanent European therapists who between them now care for some 25
children. In just one year the improvement in the lives of the children, who suffer cerebral palsy,
physical birth deformities and autism, has been dramatic.
One such child is Jean Alain. Alain was born with no left arm and just an upper right arm,
with two rudimentary fingers coming from his right elbow. Otherwise he is a perfectly normal 8-year
old. Because of his disability, the local SOS Children’s Village has turned him away (although his
two sisters live there without him). He has to live in a state-run shelter where the director is
called the “Lady prison Warden”.
It is children like this that Lance wants to help. His goal is to create a school for disabled
children where they can get a simple, but effective education. To this end Lance has formed The
Ranger Foundation, and his plan is to raise at least some of the CHF 100,000 needed by walking to
the South Pole. Lance and three other people will be ski-walking “The Last Degree”, from 89 degrees
South to 90 degrees South (the South Pole). The walk is expected to last up to 10 days; each man
will be pulling his own sled (there are no dogs on the trip); each night will be spent camping on
the ice, and there will be no support along the way, other than a guide.
Lance will be personally funding the entire cost of this expedition; every penny raised will go
to the Ranger Foundation. If you would like to make a donation, please contact the school’s
Development Office
for further details.