Liverpool Motivational Speaker Andy Grant Offers Free School Talks Throughout October

Former Royal Marine and record-breaking athlete Andy Grant is offering his time free to schools across Liverpool and beyond this October, as he raises money ahead of his latest challenge – climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Liverpool motivational speaker Andy Grant is inviting schools to book an inspirational talk for their pupils throughout October, waiving his usual speaking fee in return for a donation to charity.

The former Royal Marine and record-breaking athlete has spent the past decade sharing his story of resilience, determination and overcoming adversity with audiences across the UK.

Now, he wants to take that message into as many schools as possible, encouraging young people to understand that setbacks don’t have to define their future and helping them develop the resilience to deal with challenges they may face.

Throughout October, Andy will waive his usual speaking fee, with participating schools instead asked to make a minimum £150 donation to his fundraising campaign in support of the Sedulo Foundation and AGS Foundation.

The offer is open to schools, but parents, local businesses and individuals can get involved too. Parents can make the donation themselves and gift a talk to their child’s school, while businesses or individuals can sponsor a session for a local school.

Andy said: “Young people today will all face challenges at some point in their lives. We can’t necessarily prepare them for what those challenges will be, but we can help give them the mindset and resilience to deal with them when they come.

“If sharing my story helps even one young person realise that a setback doesn’t have to determine where their life goes next, then it’s worth doing.

“That’s why throughout October I’m offering my time to schools without my usual speaking fee. All I ask is for a minimum £150 donation to the fundraising campaign and I’ll come and speak to your pupils.

“And if you’re a parent who thinks your child’s school would benefit from the talk, you can make the donation and gift the talk to them. Equally, if you’re a local business or individual and want to sponsor a talk for a school, I’d love to hear from you. Every additional donation will help us raise even more.”

Andy was just 20 years old when he was seriously injured by an IED while serving as a Royal Marine in Afghanistan in 2009. Following numerous operations and years of rehabilitation, he made the life-changing decision to have his injured leg amputated.

He later went on to win two gold medals at the inaugural Invictus Games and set a world record over 10K for a below-the-knee amputee.

Andy has since built a successful career as a motivational speaker, drawing on his experiences to demonstrate that while we cannot always control what happens to us, we can influence what happens next.

His latest challenge will see him travel to Tanzania to attempt to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain.

The challenge is raising money for two charities whose work closely reflects the message behind Andy’s school talks.

The Sedulo Foundation works to help young people affected by poverty and disadvantage access opportunities, while the AGS Foundation is a grant-making charitable foundation providing relief to people in need as a result of physical disability or long-term injury.

Andy added: “Kilimanjaro is going to push me physically and mentally, but that’s part of the reason I’m doing it.

“I want young people to see that whatever happens in life, you can keep moving forward, keep setting goals and keep challenging yourself.

“So if you work in a school, have children at a school or simply want to give young people an experience that could make a difference, get in touch. Together we can inspire them while raising money to help others too.”

Schools, parents, businesses or individuals interested in arranging or sponsoring one of Andy Grant’s school talks during October can contact andygrantmotivation@gmail.com.

Donations can also be made directly to Andy’s Mount Kilimanjaro fundraising campaign on JustGiving.