Expedition team up with Action for Stammering Children to raise funds for teenagers who stammer

UK-based expedition team partners with Action for Stammering Children charity in an innovative project to explore the driest nonpolar desert in the world while raising funds for an often-misunderstood condition. 

 This collaboration aims to raise awareness about stammering in children while generating funds through an ambitious adventure across the Atacama Desert. The expedition team leader, Dr Alan Crofts, who experienced stammering as a child, is a Stambassador of the charity. The charity’s Stambassador Network brings together professionals with lived experience of stammering who share their own stories to inspire young people taking their next steps into higher education or the workplace.  

 Through this partnership, the charity hopes to raise £120,000 to fund places on a 6-month therapy programme that develops confidence, self-esteem and resilience in teenagers who stammer over the next two years. The charity currently funds three courses each year – two residential courses held in North Yorkshire and one online course – which are delivered by specialist speech and language therapy practice, Talking Out Ltd. As well as the psycho-social benefits, these courses will often be the first time that young people have met other teenagers who stammer.  

 CEO of Action for Stammering Children, Ria Bernard, commented: 

“Many children who stammer experience low self-confidence, become withdrawn and limit their aspirations. With early and effective support, these children have the chance to develop into confident communicators who will go on to realise their potential. That’s what initiatives like the Stambassador Network and our residential stammering courses offer. In nominating us as the expedition’s charity partner, Alan has provided us with an invaluable opportunity to raise the funds we need to continue our work supporting the 8% of children and young people who stammer across the UK.”  

 The Into Clean Air expedition, set to take place in Spring 2025, will see a team navigate three vehicles through the challenging terrain of Chile and Bolivia, employing biomass fuel and solar energy to demonstrate sustainable practices in extreme environments. As part of this partnership, the team will incorporate awareness campaigns about stammering and fundraising activities for ASC throughout their journey.  

 “We’re thrilled to partner with Action for Stammering Children for our Atacama 2025 expedition,” said Alan Crofts, team member of the Into Clean Air Expedition. “This collaboration allows us to showcase environmental sustainability and support a cause that impacts many young lives.” 

Key aspects of the partnership include: 

1. Awareness campaigns about stammering integrated into expedition communications 

1. Fundraising events in the UK to support ASC’s programs 

1. Raise a total of £120,000 to fund residential therapy programs for ASC  

1. Educational content about stammering shared through social media channels and collaborative content 

 Notes 

About Action for Stammering Children 

• Action for Stammering Children is the UK charity for children and young people who stammer, their families and communities who support them. They provide support and information, champion research and campaign for policy and societal change. 
• Action for Stammering Children: https://actionforstammeringchildren.org/ 
• Social Media: stammer_action

About Into Clean Air Expedition 

Into Clean Air is an expedition created by a UK-based expedition group dedicated to promoting sustainable adventure travel and environmental consciousness. Through an innovative expedition, the team aims to demonstrate the feasibility of carbon-mitigating strategies in challenging environments. 

Into Clean Air: https://www.intocleanair.org/ 

Social Media: Into Clean Air 2025 

 Other Organisations and Sponsors supporting the Into Clean Air Expedition 

• UK Ambassador to Chile; The Chilean Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism and the Bolivian Energies Ministry (renewables) 
• The expedition is registered with the Royal Geographical Society (UK) 
• The expedition will receive photovoltaic solar transducing mats from MiPV co Ltd (UK)
• The expedition has received financial support from Huboo Logistics as headline sponsor
• Supported by adventurer, Charlie Boorman, famous from trips such as Long Way Round,

Long Way Down and Long Way up. https://www.intocleanair.org/message-from-charley boorman/ 

Contact Information 

General Enquiries  

Alan Crofts  – Team Leader: Into Clean Air 2025 

[email protected] 

+44 (0) 7964 928126 

Support and Sponsorship 

Garry Pratt – Head of Resources: Into Clean Air 2025 

[email protected]  

+44 (0) 7803 505685 

Action for Stammering Children – press contact 

Heela Yoon – Communications, Impact & Engagement Officer 

[email protected]