Hola y bienvenidos! Finally, after some long and tiresome travels from destinations far and wide our advanced fieldbase team have arrived at the Raleigh HQ – hooray! Although only the third day in after landing, the team are busy getting to grips with their new roles, settling into their new home, and the expedition planning is already well under way. Let’s meet the team!
Julian - Country Programme Director
As our Country Programme Director Julian works closely with our project partners, focusing on our external relationships; project planning, funding and business development.
Fact: Julian is a Stone Circle expert.
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| Julian with daughter Camilla |
Ross – Country Programme Manager
From working in Logistics in 2006, to Expedition Leader, then Accounts and now our Country Programme Manager, there isn’t much that Ross doesn’t know about Raleigh. Now in his fifth year here, Ross just can't get enough of the Costa Rica lifestyle…or is it those delicious Raleigh rations of Pork and Beans? Who can say. Ross’ main responsibility lies in the delivery of the expedition programmes and management of our volunteer managers; running and organizing all expeditions.
Fact: Ross once put make-up on Condalisa Rice, whilst talking to her about golf.
Sabrina is responsible for the day-to-day running of all expeditions, and ensures that everything here at HQ runs smoothly. She spends her days making sure that all project managers are fully trained, knowing exactly where to go and what to do at what time.
Fact: She once snuck into the NME awards!
Pedro
Pedro's responsibilities lie with our Bespoke expeditions; helping out with communications, pre-planning and preparation.
Fact: Pedro once spent the evening dining with stars Emma Thompson, husband at the time Kenneth Brannagh and Stephen Fry.
Logistics team
The logistics team are key to our survival here at Raleigh. The trusty team of five work together to ensure that our venturers are properly fed, that they have all the equipment they need with them on expedition and that all Raleigh vehicles are road worthy before being taken out on expedition. In other words, our Raleigh lifeline! Our team includes;
Sarah (Aka Wellard)
Wellard first entered the Raleigh world as an eager and enthusiastic venturer in 2010. She then went on to bigger and better things when she took on the role as Project Manager for two expeditions running. After being out in Costa Rica for a year in total Wellard just can’t seem to tear herself away from the Raleigh bubble and has come back for more with the 11G&H expeditions!
Fact: She once auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent.
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| Wellard on the left - concentrating hard! |
Emily
USA born and bred Emily is our token Yankee here at HQ – Yeehaa! Her work and qualifications revolve around her passion for graphic design, but she is currently taking some time out to give us a helping hand at Raleigh and see the beautiful sights of Costa Rica.
Fact: This trip to Costa Rica is her first time out of the United States, and she’s loving it - Bienvenidos!
Sarah
Sarah started her career as a tour guide for the Jewellery Quarter Museum in Birmingham. After this she moved on to work for a health & safety institution, raising awareness of health and safety for different organizations. She then spent her time working in teacher training and events. Finally Sarah has now come to her senses and joined us at Raleigh as an essential member to our logistics team. Phew.
Fact: She once served Jeremy Clarkson as glass of Sancerre… his all time favourite apparently.
Phil
Phil is taking a well deserved break from his busy career as a Planning Consultant in which he own his own company. Phil will spend the majority of his time looking after and tending to our vehicles, making sure that they are fully functioning and ready for adventure.
Fact: Phil used to work as a Fly-catcher in Australia.
Cathy
After throwing in the towel to her safe and secure 9 to 5 lifestyle back home in the UK, South African Cathy is now living the travelers dream out here in sunny Costa Rica. With plans unknown and a zest for adventure, Cathy is set for great things. First stop – Raleigh. Sounds good to us!
Fact: She has a fear of wobbly lines.
Amy – Administration
Having just arrived back from a previous expedition as a venturer, Amy is back with Raleigh once again. From Insurance to passports to spreadsheets and databases, Amy deals with the nitty gritty administration details that we are incapable of organizing ourselves! Making sure that all documents are up to date and no visas expired, Amy keeps our lives at Raleigh orderly and up to date.
Fact: Elton John is her idol.
Meet the Medics!
Sheila
Like many of the Raleigh team gone before us Sheila has come back to Raleigh after having just completed time as a medic on the February to April 2011 expeditions. She is here to make sure that all medical equipment is organized and readily available. She knows what to do in an emergency and is there to save us when we fall… literally.
Fact: Sheila’s uncle is the Irish Ambassador for a very important country.
Laura
Laura studied Medicine at Southampton University and has since had extensive work in the medical industry, so we are safe hands! Laura will be with us for the full 10 weeks getting stuck in to projects of all different shapes and sizes; trekking, building, digging… flying, rolling, skipping!
Fact: She went to school with Dermot O’Leary.
The Photographers
Here to ‘capture the moment' and bring Raleigh to life our photographer Kat makes sure that everyone leaves with memories that will last, as well as making sure that you lot back home can get a glimpse into the Raleigh experience.
Kat
Artist and photographer Kat is here to put her creative skills to good use. After graduating from Goldsmiths in 2009, Kat has had her work exhibited in London and internationally. She is also a trustee of the non-profit organisation 'X Presents...'. Kat went to India on a Graduate Bursary Scheme with Raleigh in March to May 2010 - once again another Raleigh alumni returns!
Fact: Kat is a triplet!
Dawn – Communications Offer
A recent graduate and alumni of Raleigh, Dawn (that's me) is now back to experience life on the other side of the fence; putting the Raleigh experience into words and keeping everyone back home updated with all news and events.
Fact: In 1997 Dawn starred in Children’s BBC game show ‘To Me, To You’, hosted by comedy genius’ the Chuckle Brothers.
Daz the Dog
As one of the most authoritative figures at HQ Daz is calling the shots left right and centre. Daz made his way over to us last April and it wasn’t long before Raleigh fell in love with the handsome rogue. He is now spoilt rotten and living the pedigree dream.
Fact: Daz enjoys long walks in the sun, playing ball and being cuddled. It’s a dogs life after all.
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| Raleigh ventuers to be - your fieldbase accommodation! |
The team are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of the rest of the Raleigh crew, but until then there is much more planning and preparation to be cracking on with... and fun and games to be had of course. We'll be back again soon with more news and events on the hustle and bustle of fieldbase but until then, as they say out here in beautiful Costa Rica, Pura Vida!
*Blog written by Dawn Tennant and photo’s by Claire Smart.
Costa Ricans, or ‘Tico’s’ as they are known here, are fun, friendly and full of vitality. Through a combination of sun, sea, sand and an innate passion for life it isn’t hard to see why. (They also abolished their army years ago; a clear indication of their morals and beliefs). There is a local philosophy which plays a large part in the Costa Rican lifestyle; "Pura Vida!”, which literally means ‘pure life’. The Ticos use the expression daily, reinforcing what is important in life.
¿Cómo estas? – How are you?
