Luke's "Experience of a Lifetime"

Luke Waldeck, second from right in this photo of him waiting his turn on the High Rope Walk in the tree tops, who spent five days on an outdoor activities week in the Lake District sponsored by Bradgate Rotary, spoke to a full house about his “experience of a lifetime.”

In fact with more than two dozen attendees, the upstairs room at The Café in The Corner in The Nook, Anstey, an extra chair was needed.

Nineteen-year-old Luke was accompanied by his mother, Rachel, and his grandmother Janet. He started and finished his talk by thanking the Rotary club and said he realized how lucky he and the other 19 guests from Rotary Clubs across the East Midlands had been with good weather in Cumbria in April.

He reported to members that his high points (literally in the case of the day-long walk up one of the highest peaks in the area) had included orienteering and the Zip Wire. Luke said it was much better than the Zip Wire he had ridden at Butlins.

He told members and guests that the meals at the Calvert Trust were super with the burgers being his favourite. He was delighted to be able to play his favourite Capital Radio via the TV in the Games Room at the end of each action-packed day.

Luke had high praise for the nine Rotary volunteers who were with him and the staff, particularly James, one of the professional outdoor activity leaders.

He had members and visitors chuckling as he peppered his talk with comic references. His lowest point was that he missed his family – even his younger sister Charlie!

Watched proudly by his mother and his gran, Luke said the Calvert experience had “made me more confident and more independent.”

Rachel commented that the family had been impressed by the changes they had seen in Luke and were hopeful that Luke might be able to live independently when he reached the age of 26 or 27. “22!” interjected the smiling young man who is 6ft  5ins tall and unaccustomed the not being the tallest person in the room.

Assistant District Governor Janet Sinclair, who had been with Luke in the Lake District, said she had been going to Calvert Lakes for several decades and described it as one of the best projects funded by participating Rotary Clubs across the East Midlands of England.

Janet remarked that each year she finds that some of the attendees Special Education Needs end up helping other less able candidates.

Luke and his family are hopeful that, like some who were with Luke in April, he will be able to return.

If you know someone with learning or other issues – even severe physical disabilities – who might benefit from spending a week tackling and overcoming challenges, please use the Contact button on this page.