staff profiles

Simon Albert
Director

Footsteps of the Maasai "For me nothing can compare with the experience of trekking across the Great African Rift Valley, guided by the local Maasai tribesmen. The peoples, wildlife, scenery, and the challenge itself were all inspirational and I keep looking for ways to top it!"

Simon has travelled extensively throughout the developing world, climbing mountains, rafting rivers, and helping local NGOs on local infrastructure projects. Having completed a Business Studies degree, he trained as a Brand Manager at Nestlé UK Ltd. He began charity trekking in 1995 to Jordan for the One to One Children's Fund, and climbed Kilimanjaro the following year. He identified a niche in the expeditions market, and on returning to the UK, organised 2 expeditions to Cuba and Tanzania voluntarily for young singles. Following the huge success of these two expeditions, having raised over £100,000 for charity, he set up Challenges (Un) Limited with Jeremy Gane. He has personally taken part in many of the challenges including building houses for orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa, and for families affected by the Asian tsunami in India and Sri Lanka. It is his passion to do more for those around him that drives the constant development of the business. Simon is married with three young sons and can’t wait until they can join him on a trek to Everest Base Camp. He recently became a trustee of the Cambodia Trust and helping them to realise their true fundraising potential.

Jeremy Gane
Director

Kilimanjaro Summit Climb  For most trekkers, Kilimanjaro is a life-changing experience. To climb the mountain is to witness the process of the world evolution in reverse - from the hot equatorial plains of Africa to the arctic ice fields that still exist on the summit 4 miles above the plains. To stand on ˜The Roof of Africa is a magical experience.

Jeremy is also the Managing Director of Gane & Marshall International Ltd. His experience as a fully licensed tour operator running large group adventure tours has been invaluable in the establishment of Charity Challenge. His professional interest in the travel industry started during a climb to Kilimanjaro just over 18 years ago which led to the creation of GandM who are now recognised as the UKs leading specialists in East African mountain climbs. Jeremy himself has climbed Kilimanjaro more than 20 times and he was appointed as Project Manager for the Comic Relief celebrity climb of Kilimanjaro March 2009, which raised millions of dollars for projects in Africa. Jeremy  is a member of the High Altitude Medicine Society. Jeremy is a trustee and secretary for the charity Community Projects Africa, a charity supported actively by Charity Challenge.

Victoria Bolton
General Manager

Stok Kangri Summit Trek "Having travelled and worked overseas for many years I don't think I've ever been as physically challenged as when taking part in our first ever Stok Kangri Summit Trek.  After flying into the beautiful, Buddhist town of Leh you trek through the Indian Himalaya’s.  Getting up in the middle of the night to make the summit attempt and reaching the top was a true achievement."

After achieving a Distinction in Travel & Tourism Management HND and a BA Hons degree in International Marketing Management, Victoria extended her career in the travel industry working as an Expedition Leader in the Middle East, Europe & Asia.  Here her passion for working alongside developing cultures was fostered.  She also undertook many adventurous trips independently including China, Borneo & throughout Australasia. Having joined us in September 2004 Victoria’s travel and communications experience compliment our team.  In 2005 Victoria undertook our Trek to the Home of the Dalai lama, in 2006 she trekked to Everest Base Camp for her local Buddhist centre and last year she led our pioneering expedition; Stok Kangri Summit Trek.  Whilst managing all aspects of establishing this expedition Victoria fundraised for Plan International, helping children in developing countries benefit from better health care and education facilities.  

Chad Anderson
Expeditions Manager

Brazil Waterfalls Expedition Starting in Salvador, the home of the Carnival and capital of the mystical state of Bahia you trek through some of Brazil's most beautiful scenery and visit some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. Brazil is definitely one of the liveliest most beautiful countries I've ever visited.

Chad left his home country of South Africa 13 years ago to go traveling for a few months, somewhere along the way he was bitten by the proverbial travel bug and just kept on going. He's lived and worked on 6 continents and finally settled in London in 1999. He worked as a travel agent at ebookers for 6 years.

Mark Kalch
Expedition Manager

Sapa Hill Tribe Trek: “Trekking in Northern Vietnam has been one of the most memorable experiences on my many adventures.  Living with the villagers you witness how they live high in this mountainous jungle region.  A life truly worlds away from anything most people know.  The H’mong, Dao, Tay and Sa Fo people are so friendly and welcoming of visitors and the Sapa Hill Tribe Trek ensures they benefit from these visits and not torn from their traditional way of life.”

In February 2008, Mark was part of the 4th team in history to make a complete source to sea, human-powered descent of the world’s biggest and longest river, the Amazon. He is a true adventurer! He has been stalked by lions in Southern Ethiopia, survived snow storms in the Andes, trekked deserts in the Middle East, run big rivers in Southern Africa and South America, sea-kayaked the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, hung out with hill tribes in Northern Vietnam and explored remote jungles of Brazil, all in the name of living life.

Bina Popat
Groups Travel Co-Ordinator

Trekking on the Great Wall of China, one of the seven wonders of the world, is something I have always dreamt of doing. I would love to experience the beautiful and vibrant Chinese culture and Terracotta Warriors.

Bina has recently joined Charity Challenge as our Groups Travel Co-Ordinator. She has 17 years experience in the airline industry having worked for Aer Lingus and SriLankan Airlines and is also trained in  IATA fares and ticketing part1 and part 2. Born in Malawi, educated in India(Ooty) and studied further for a  Business Studies Diploma in the UK, Bina is also a qualified beauty Therapist and a spiritual healer (REIKI)!

Firdous Surti
Marketing

"Although I haven’t yet experienced a Charity Challenge I have my eyes set on the Thailand Jungle Challenge. Trekking through one of the most beautiful countries in the world, kayaking and elephant riding seems like an adventure I will never forget!"

After completing a 3 year degree in Management and Marketing from Brunel University in 2004, I joined a leading gift and gadget company working as an administrator. I joined Charity Challenge to step up the challenge and to focus on my marketing career. I haven't travelled as much as my colleagues but I hope to do some travelling in the near future!  

Paul Albert
Bookings Manager

"It has been my ambition for more than 10 years to take part in the Kilimanjaro Summit Climb. I'm going this June and can't wait for the challenge of reaching the top of Africa's highest mountain. I know that the sense of achievment will be  incredible." 

Paul spent 18 months travelling round Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada before going into recruitment and then the motor industry where he spent 8 years with Ford and Volkswagen in sales, customer service and business management. He came to Charity Challenge wanting to work for a company that inspired people to make a difference to their own and other people’s lives. Paul has also spent time in Thailand, Africa and Europe and enjoys cycling, swimming and boxing. Since joining Paul has been to South Africa to help build homes for children orphaned through Aids with communitychallenge and cycled from London to Paris.

Bev Heckels
Financial Controller

“For me our e-brochure is like looking in a chocolate box! I am probably the least fittest member of the Team, however Escambray Encounter looks to be a tempting challenge with the distraction of a beautiful landscape and tropical waterfalls…you never know I may even make it there this year !”

Bev is our qualified accountant with over 13 years senior management experience from IT and Telecoms through to Recruitment. She joined Charity Challenge to escape the wraths of the London long hours culture and spend more time with her two young children. After travelling round Australia for a short period and husky sledging at the Ice Hotel in Sweden, Bev would like to indulge in more physically challenging and adventurous travel.

Sharmee Shah
Finance Executive

“Having recently joined Charity Challenge and therefore haven’t experienced an expedition as of yet.  However I would most certainly like to take up the Golden Triangle Hill Tribe Trek from Thailand. Having visited Thailand before I would most definitely like to go back and trek through the scenic mountains, rice fields, bamboo forest and interact with the local villagers.”

Born and brought up in Kenya, Sharmee did her travel diploma in London and after graduating moved back to Kenya where she worked for a Travel and Tour Operator. She has worked in the travel industry for the past 8 years. She moved to UK 4 years ago and joined Gane and Marshall Tailor Made Destinations. She has recently joined the finance department at Charity Challenge to get a varied experience. She enjoys travelling and has visited a number of countries namely, Thailand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Dubai, France, Belgium, Spain and Tanzania.

Raj Joshi
British Chief Medical Officer

Everest Base Camp Trek: “An utterly magical experience. There is something about the place which is deeply spiritual. The journey to the Base Camp of Everest provides you with a challenge where you will be rewarded with some of the world's most awesome views. It is the culture and folk of Nepal  which makes the experience extra special, being some of the most genuine and hospitable people on earth.”

A graduate from Birmingham University, Raj has always had a passion for the mountains and exploration. Much of his spare time has been spent on expeditions with a few close friends. To follow this interest, Raj has taken brief sabbaticals from medicine. This allowed Raj the opportunity to work with Charity Challenge, where he has gained a unique perspective, having been a leader and medical officer on several trips. He is Chief Medical Officer and in charge of the medical operations for the company. Some of his duties include scrutinising every client’s medical details to ensure they are fit for the trip, helping to employ suitable Expedition Medics, training and development of both UK and overseas medical personnel, organisation of comprehensive expedition medical kits. His experience in expedition and remote field medicine not only comes from working with Charity Challenge but through his own expeditions, where he recently summitted Mount Everest with the British Army in May 2007.

Trevor Gibbs
British Expeditions Leader

Everest Base Camp "Standing before a vista of towering ice giants was an incredible experience. The Himalayas proved to be everything I expected and more; a land of endless forests of pine, majestic mountains and breathtaking views (although I guess that could have been the altitude!)

After giving up the world of design and print I travelled overland through China, south-east Asia and Australasia. Island hopping across the Pacific to the States I worked as a dive master and ranch hand before returning home, some two years later. I then spent 5 years working in adventure travel, leading trips through Africa and the Middle East, before hanging up my boots, temporarily, for an operations job with a leading European travel company. The lure of the open road was too much though and I was soon tempted to re-lace my boots again. They say that travel is addictive, if so then I am the happiest addict I know!

Claire Rogers
British Expeditions Leader

Icelandic Lava Trek  Words can't describe the spectacular landscape rich in lava fields, geysers, glaciers and volcanoes, not to mention bathing in hot springs in daylight at 11.30pm! The group should have all been covered in bruises with the number of times you have to pinch yourself to check you're not dreaming.

After gaining a Modern Languages degree (French & German) at Durham University, Claire lived out of a rucksack for what was an amazing year travelling and doing volunteer work in S.E. Asia, India and Nepal. It is not surprising that she got the travel bug and it wasn't long before she was working a ski season as a SkiVal Resort Rep and Hotel Manager in Courchevel, France.  In July 2004, having completed Mountain Leader Training and First Aid courses, Claire started working as a Tour Leader for Charity Challenge, "It may sound cheesy, but I really think I've got the best job in the world."