The brand new Buxton Adventure Festival programme is announced today with speakers from the world of adventure, travel, photography & sport including mountain bike downhill World Champion Danny Hart and stuntman Gary Connery?s first talk since his wingsuited, parachute-free jump from a helicopter.??

The weekend will be packed with some of Derbyshire?s best adventurers and photographers:

• Internationally renowned nature, travel & adventure photographer John Beatty who lives in Bamford in the Hope Valley
• Gordon Stainforth - writer, photographer, film editor, philosopher and experienced climber who lives in Belper.
• Derby?s Squash Falcolner - who climbed Everest last year and was the first British woman to solo paraglide from the summit of Mont Blanc;
• There?s also two special Young Adventurer sessions with inspiring talks by 17 year old Hope Valley Paralympian basketballer Maddie Thompson and stunt mountain biker Danny Butler who lives in Stoke but whose favourite training spot is the Peak District Roaches.

BAF builds on the growing popularity of the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival combining the magic of live lectures and cinema into ten different two-hour sessions each with talks followed by adventure films - all right in the heart of the Peak District.?? 

Heason Events are proud that Mike Tomlinson, Trustee of the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, has agreed to be patron of the new festival.  We are also delighted to announce that the event will be supported for the next three years by the University of Derby, Buxton.

Festival Programme Director Matt Heason said:  "We've been bowled over by the growing popularity of our annual Sheffield Adventure Film Festival.  Our aim is to combine the excitement of live lectures by some of the world's best athletes, travellers, writers and photographers with the magic of seeing adventure films on the big screen.  And where better a venue than Buxton - right on the doorstep of some of the country's best climbing, running, biking, walking and caving?"  

Mike Tomlinson, Trustee of the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, said:  "I'm delighted to have been asked to be patron of the new Buxton Adventure Festival.  Though I'm a Yorkshire man, the Peak District's always been close to my heart as Jane and I used to holiday in Castleton.  Our first Jane's Appeal Peak District Walk for All was a huge success despite the weather and we've already got next year's event scheduled for April 28th.?  

"Jane inspired countless people with her courage and determination.  She proved that you don't have to be an elite athlete to have an adventure.  Defying the odds and public perception of cancer she took on endurance challenges like the Florida Ironman and a 2,500 mile bike ride across America, raising £1.85m for charity.  Since her death in 2007, Jane's Appeal has raised a total of £4m."

"I hope the speakers and films at the Buxton Adventure Festival will inspire people to enjoy the outdoors - no matter what their age or ability and encourage them to set themselves challenges - no matter how big or small."    

Buxton Adventure Festival PR Lissa Cook said:  "It's a privilege to have Mike supporting the festival.  I was lucky enough to have work with him on a BBC documentary investigating the postcode lottery in cancer care a few years ago.  He's no stranger to madcap adventures himself having recently completed an 8 day epic running the Paris Marathon, then cycling six days via the Appeal's Home turf of Hull to complete the London marathon with Ironman champion Chrissie Wellington."

"The Jane Tomlinson Appeal is a great cause raising money for a range of children's and cancer charities as well as other partner charities including Edale Mountain Rescue, the Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice and Friends of the Peak District and Yorkshire charities Cash for Kids and Heart Research UK." 

Dr Peter Dewhurst, Dean of Faculty, University of Derby Buxton Campus said:  ?The University has a proud tradition of delivering high quality outdoor education and we are also committed to supporting the local economy. We are extremely pleased to be the principal sponsor of the Buxton Adventure Festival for the next three years and hope that by working closely with Heason Events we can grow the Festival into a leading national and international outdoor event.?

ENDS

Click here to download a pdf version of this press release
Contact: Lissa Cook - 01663 751 126 / 07818 411 791 / [email protected]?
Press release:  Immediate, Thursday 19th July 2012

Notes to Editors:

• What?  Five two-hour sessions each combining a speaker followed by film(s).
• Where? Pavilion Arts Centre, part of Buxton Opera House, Peak District, Derbyshire, SK17 6XN.
• Tickets? Tickets will soon be on sale from Buxton Opera House Box Office (Adults: £10 for 1 session, £18 for 2, £24 for 3, £28 for 4, £30 for 5.  Full Time Students & Under 16s: £5 for 1 session, £9 for 2, £12 for 3, £14 for 4, £15 for 5.  Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 under 16s): £20)
• Who? The full programme of films & speakers is here:
  
  About The Jane Tomlinson Appeal
• The Jane Tomlinson Appeal was set up by a very determined Yorkshire woman to help children's and cancer charities across Yorkshire, the UK and the globe.
• Before her death in 2007, Jane Tomlinson CBE raised £1.85 million for children?s and cancer charities through a series of physical challenges including her Ride Across America. Jane knew her life was limited but wanted to create a vehicle which would allow others across communities the opportunity to raise money for good causes close to their own hearts and to share in the excitement and fulfilment that she had experienced through her own fundraising events.
• Since the inaugural Leeds 10K in 2007, Run For All has continued to grow and now has three highly successful, well established 10K runs in Yorkshire as well as a swimming festival and three walking festivals including a walk in the Peak District.
• Launched back in 2002,the Jane Tomlinson Appeal to date has raised over £4million for charity and over the years the Appeal has supported a range of charities both local and nationally, helping to fund refurbishment projects and purchase vital medical equipment.
• With 2012 marking the Appeal?s 10th Anniversary we are hoping to mark these celebrations by reaching our fundraising target of £5million.
• Watch a short video about Jane?s fundraising challenges.