Flt Lt Alun Pepper, Inspirational Mentor

I have been involved with JET almost from the start after spending 4 days cycling 400 miles with Emma to raise funds for the charity, where we discussed the Trust and I shared my experience working with other groups such as the Princes’ Trust.

I love helping young people to be the best they can be, whether it be on the low ropes, high ropes, in the swimming pool or on the stage giving their final presentations. I get to watch them grow in confidence, almost by the minute, as they accomplish tasks they thought were beyond them and it is fantastic to see how they come together to help each other through the challenges. I have seen some amazing acts of courage, people scared of water diving into swimming pools and people climbing up heights in floods of tears but refusing to give up. It is also great to see how the experience stays with them when they come back to do Level 2 where we turn up the pressure and ask them to take on leadership roles. When I attend the final presentation sessions I am proud of the team who have delivered the training, even more proud of the young people who have achieved so much and humbled by the thanks we receive from the parents.

I remember telling Emma at the beginning that even if we only had a positive effect on one young person then it would all be worth while but Emma being Emma refused to accept that and wanted to do so much more. I take inspiration from all the people I work with at JET from Emma to the young people and I think I get far more from it than they do.