What Raleigh means to us
As part of our celebrations for Raleigh's 25th anniversary the Head Office staff had a look back over the years at our most memorable moments and describe what Raleigh means to us. We had a great time looking back at all our photo's and reminiscing about our amazing experiences so we hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Stacey Adams, Chief Executive
The transition from home to living away is tough and both of my children chose to go on expedition with Raleigh as part of getting ready to go to university. They wanted the chance to live in remote places and involve themselves with people and communities that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. They raised their own funds and had their own personal journeys as part of the Raleigh extended family. Raleigh is about belonging - feeling connected to others whatever their background or nationality and knowing that you can make a difference by your choices and your actions. I am really glad that both Kerala and Callum have that foundation for their lives.
Mary-Jane Eva, PA to Chief Executive
This was sunrise over the tea plantations in Kerala, from a tree house that we spent a few nights at. There was no electricity so we had spent the previous night sitting on the balcony with a kerosene lamp and watching the fireflies and the moon reflecting on the lake. We all slept on the balcony and woke up to an amazing sunrise after a day of heavy monsoon rain. Raleigh gives people the opportunity to go to places they would never otherwise get to see.
Sophie Pell, Volunteer Manager Recruitment Coordinator
Whilst on expedition I enjoyed working as part of a team with like minded people who were all there trying to challenge themselves and make a difference.
Rupert Miller, Programme Director
Even after twenty five years, the mix of different people from all backgrounds and countries is still at the very heart of what makes Raleigh truly unique.
Belize 00G
Debra Hay, Alumni Manager
This photo is of Ana who made us feel so very welcome in her home and looked after us so well.
Here she is standing with a bucket of water after the completion of the water project in her community. This is the first time she collected safe and clean water from a tap just outside her kitchen.
I will never forget my Nicaraguan family, the challenge of the water project and the achievement we all felt on its successful completion.
Carolyn Henry, Medical Coordinator
Even without speaking the same language, the relationships that we made with the community in Nicaragua were amazing and the experience of working and living with the families to provide running water will stay with me forever.
Rosie Palliser, Recruitment and Marketing Coordinator
Catching the India 08F venturers by surprise.
Raleigh for me is the young people who take part in the expeditions. It was only through spending time with the venturers, either visiting the projects on a loop trip, or back at Fieldbase where this photo was taken that the experience made sense to me.
Annabel Jenkin, Marketing and PR Coordinator
Raleigh means the opportunity to do the things that you never would or could otherwise, like building a kindergarten on the edge of a mini-cliff when there's a perfectly flat bit of ground next to it, in the most amazing locations!
Brandon Charleston, Education and Development Adviser
Taken on LDE 2007 expedition in Namibia. Photo of Himba school children.
Raleigh has offered me the opportunity to spend time and make genuine friendships in some wonderful and unique communities, and ones very different to my own.
Amy Roberton, Expedition Support Coordinator
Raleigh to me is all about achievement. Every day on expedition everyone achieved something and it was brilliant to see. Whether it was cooking a meal for 15 people, making a new friend, keeping a positive attitude in difficult circumstances, trekking for 8 hours, bringing water to a rural community or learning a new skill. We all achieved so much in the space of 10 weeks, in such beautiful environments and had such a great time whilst doing it that I gained a new sense of self confidence, life purpose and positive attitude to life which I'm sure will stay with me forever.
My picture is of the gravity water feed on our community project when the water came out of the pipe for the first time - what an achievement!!
Duncan Purvis, Partnership Manager
Raleigh's for life.... not just for expedition
Eddie Church, TDT Trainer
Bui, a difficult place to be.
Sam De La Haye, Expedition Support coordinator
Trekking across the Mongolian Gobi Desert as a Venturer was the most challenging thing I had ever done - I was pushed to every possible limit and for the first time ever realised that I needed the other members of the team to get through it and that determination and perseverance were not enough. Finishing the trek, arriving in an oasis after the dunes, was an incredible end to an incredible experience. Nearly 10 years on, I am still in touch with most of the group.
Adam Scott, Expedition Support Coordinator
Namibia 06D. This picture represents all the communities that Raleigh has had a positive impact on over its 25 years. During 06D we built a school and playground, the local children embraced them as enthusiastically as they welcomed us when we first arrived. Those 3 weeks in Onakasino, living and working with the community were amongst the most memorable, worthwhile, inspiring, and enjoyable of my life.
Courage and Discovery, two of Raleigh's values are represented here as one of the early.
Expeditions sail into central Africa over 20 years ago. Incredible.
Mirijana Nociar, Graphic Designer
...helping ourselves by helping others...
