NSSLGlobal, the Redhill based, global independent satellite communications and IT solutions provider, welcomes HMS Oardacious rower and local resident, Lieutenant Commander Hugo Mitchell-Heggs to their headquarters on Friday, 3rd February. Lt Cdr Hugo, as part of the record setting four-man crew, all serving Royal Navy submariners, has returned from competing in the “world’s toughest row” across the North Atlantic. Crispin Blunt, MP for Reigate, will be joining local schoolchildren at the company’s headquarters to celebrate the incredible feat of overcoming the physical and mental challenges posed during the gruelling 35-day, 3,000-mile row called the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
NSSLGlobal is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the HMS Oardacious team and, along with Lt Cdr Mitchell-Heggs and members of his wider team, is hosting a community outreach event for local schoolchildren. What promises to be a lively, engaging and interactive morning will kick off with Neil Fraser, NSSLGlobal’s Director for Space and Defence, explaining the importance of space and its key role in delivering communications across the globe to users on land, at sea and in the air. It will also be a rare opportunity for nearly 70 local youngsters to see and get “hands on” with some of the specialist technology used by HMS Oardacious and other users of NSSLGlobal solutions and services.
Lt Cdr Mitchell-Heggs will talk about the human side of his journey, from the camaraderie, mental hurdles and physical challenges to the training, tactics and trials of the race. He and his colleagues will explain the values that underpinned the challenge and empowered the rowers to push past their boundaries and become the fastest military team to complete the event.
“NSSLGlobal has sponsored Lt Cdr Hugo and the HMS Oardacious team as we recognise the wider good that comes from their commitment to raising funds and the profile of mental health, veterans and the environment. For several years COVID -19 stopped us holding similar events, but it is important to the NSSLGlobal team to support our local community. It is our hope that this event will inspire these young children to get excited about a potential future in the satellite communications industry and to see STEM subjects in a whole new light,” says Sally Anne-Ray, Chief Executive Officer, NSSLGlobal.
“The NSSLGlobal team was hugely important to our crossing, providing critical communications services to help in times of crisis, plotting our route and allowing us to have morale-boosting conversations with our families,” says Lieutenant Commander Hugo Mitchell-Heggs, HMS Oardacious. The satellite communications enabled us to share our story with the world, including a live interview with the BBC. As a local resident myself, I and the team are excited to now bring our story to the inquisitive young minds in the local area.”
“Advances in space and satellite technology are key areas for growth and it’s good to see a UK headquartered satellite company doing what it can to inspire and motivate the next generation,” says Crispin Blunt MP. “This event is also a great opportunity for these students to meet and learn how to handle challenges and problem solving from a local hero.”
The event will be taking place on Friday, 3rd February and hopes to inspire the dozens of young schoolchildren attending to consider learning more about the space and satellite industry and the possibilities open to them in the future.
