At Charity Challenge, we’re extremely proud of our brilliant head office team. In this Meet the Team feature, we’re delighted to introduce our experienced Overseas Operations Manager, Nicki Couston. From managing ski chalets across the French Alps to discovering Charity Challenge on her daily commute, find out how Nicki’s journey led her into the world of adventure travel.
How long have you been part of the Charity Challenge team?
I’ve been working for Charity Challenge for just over 2 years!
What’s your role at Charity Challenge?
Overseas Operations Manager.
Tell us a little bit about your background and what you did before joining Charity Challenge?
I started working in travel and hospitality in the French Alps 15 years ago. What was supposed to be one winter season led to nearly 10 years working for the UK’s larger ski chalet operator, managing the chalet program across 14 different French ski resorts.
I had studied mathematics at university and so after 10, very dynamic, fun and fast-paced years in tourism, I decided to step back into the world of numbers. I combined this with further improving my French language skills and worked in an accountancy and business management office in Chamonix.
It was on my daily commute that I came across a large energetic bunch of CoppaTrekkers on the train. My curiosity spiked and after speaking with the trekkers and doing a bit more research online, I came across Charity Challenge. I picked up the phone and first spoke with Jenn at Charity Challenge. Pretty soon after that, I knew I wanted to become part of this team and needed to get back into operations, logistics and the chaos of adventure travel!
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The team’s approach, and the genuine care that every member of Charity Challenge puts into their role to make sure each participant, leader, doctor and local team feels supported is amazing. I love working with teams around the world and communicating daily with contacts in places such as Indonesia, Montenegro and Morocco to coordinate the logistics for a variety of challenges. Plus, knowing that people are fundraising and training in order to prepare for the challenges we’re putting together makes it all the more exciting!
What advice would you give someone who is looking to do a Charity Challenge?
There is so much useful information on our webpages and in your Participant Account Area, which the team work so hard to put together, so you know what to expect and how to best prepare for your challenge.
Train, build strength and aim to increase your ‘time on feet’ from the moment you sign up for a challenge! Train in the kit you expect to wear when you’re there, follow the kit list (it’s been curated from many years of experience) and don’t be afraid to reach out to us if you have any questions – by phone or by email, we love to help and hear your reasons for signing up!
What’s been your favourite Charity Challenge (so far)?
That’s a very tough question, they’re all so unique! Trek Montenegro, is one that I have been lucky enough to be a part of from the very beginning. From the initial email and call with our local team, to travelling to Montenegro to explore the routes and carry out a recce, followed by countless emails and calls, and finally accompanying 60 people on the very first Charity Challenge in Montenegro. This was an experience I’ll always remember and am incredibly proud to have been a part of.
Do you have any challenges left on your bucket list?
Every single one, the list will never finish!
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