Tribe Stories Round Up - December 19 2016

A weekly (most of the time!) round-up of stories, events and projects coming out of the YesTribe.

Researched and written by Richard Potter.

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ADAM CONLON - RUNNING FROM BATH TO BELFAST

To end 2016 on a high note, Adam Conlon is on a 315 km run from Bath to Belfast. He set off on the 15th of December to raise money for Walking with the Wounded's Walking Home for Xmas Campaign. Go Adam!

You can follow his progress on Facebook and you can also visit his fundraising page.

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LITTLE PADDLE'S CHRISTMAS PADDLE

Little Paddle was created by Andy McLean and Nick Miller following on from the Quapaw 24 Big Paddle in April 2016.

Little's Paddle's 8th outing, held over the weekend of 10 and 11 December, was their Christmas special and first venture outside of England. The team met up in Monmouth and paddled the River Wye.  

Over the year Little Paddle has gone to the Cotswolds, Kent, Shepperton (home of the Yes Bus), Bath, Windsor, Bedford, The Peak District and finally to Wales. A typical outing consists of paddling on Saturday, a camp out and more paddling on Sunday. 

However, of late (with the weather getting colder) the team has taken to indoor accommodation including Mount Cook Adventure Centre and has also embraced walking. They've even tried to break the Guinness Record for "Most People in a Telephone Box".

The next Little Paddle outing will be in January in Essex. Please contact Paul Balson if you'd like to come along. Everyone is welcome: Ollie Hull, who is only 7, has come on four Little Paddle outings already.

Have you been inspired by any of these stories? Do you have your own to share? We’d love to hear about it. The YesTribe is a community that is free to anyone who is looking to make life less restricted, more enjoyable, more interesting and more memorable. Your story doesn’t need to be an endurance adventure, many of the YesTribe are making films, raising money for good causes and developing the community.

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We’d love to hear from you, share your stories here at Say Yes More or join the Yes Tribe Facebook group to connect with fellow YesTribers.

Make life memorable, Say Yes More!

Tribe Stories Round Up - December 4 2016

A weekly (most of the time!) round-up of stories, events and projects coming out of the YesTribe.

Researched and written by Richard Potter.

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NIKKI GILBEY - EXPEDITION GREAT BRITAIN

Nikki Gilbey is joining the S/V Seadragon as it travels around Scotland during leg 2 of eXXpedition Great Britain, to conduct research and raise awareness about the impact of plastics on people and on the sea. In particular, eXXpedition Great Britain will explore how plastics, chemicals, endocrine disruptors and carcinogens in our personal and global environment can cause disease. 

The expedition also aims to engage women in scientific narratives relating to the consumer choices they make and their long-term health impacts on themselves and our environment.  S/V Seadragon’s all-female crew will be stopping off along the way to work with local communities and tourists to raise awareness, share findings and educate.

Nikki would be very grateful for any help you could give: her fundraising page is here.

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THE SNOW CAMP COLLECTIVE

November 30 saw the launch of the Snow Camp Collective, a passionate tribe that supports the work that Snow Camp is doing to support inner-city young people. Snow Camp uses snowboarding and life skills programmes to help them grow in confidence and self esteem, develop as individuals, reflect on key issues, develop new skills and make positive choices during their lives.

You can find out more about the Snow Camp Collective here.

Have you been inspired by any of these stories? Do you have your own to share? We’d love to hear about it. The YesTribe is a community that is free to anyone who is looking to make life less restricted, more enjoyable, more interesting and more memorable. Your story doesn’t need to be an endurance adventure, many of the YesTribe are making films, raising money for good causes and developing the community

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We’d love to hear from you, share your stories here at Say Yes More or join the Yes Tribe Facebook group to connect with fellow YesTribers.

Make life memorable, Say Yes More! 

Tribe Stories Round Up - November 27 2016

A weekly (most of the time!) round-up of stories, events and projects coming out of the YesTribe.

Written and researched by Richard Potter

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AARON MITCHELL: WORLD BIKE TRIP

In April 2016 Aaron Mitchell set off on a solo motorcycle trip around the World to raise money for The Royal British Legion. Aaron started his journey in the United Kingdom and has travelled across Europe and Russia before crossing over to the United States and travelling down into Central America. He’s currently in Mexico and will eventually head to the southern part of Argentina and back up its East Coast. 

You can find out more about Aaron’s trip and get updates on his progress by visiting his website: you can also follow him on Facebook.

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JO SYMO AND MIKE WEST: THE WALK

Walking nearly 2000 miles across 7 countries is no small undertaking, but on 23 November Jo Symo and Mike West set off on just such an adventure. The Walk will take them from Belize City to Panama City.  They’re raising awareness about the Matt Hampson Foundation and Easter Seals Colorado.

You can follow The Walk on Jo's Website and on Facebook: you can also visit their fundraising page. 

Have you been inspired by any of these stories? Do you have your own to share? We’d love to hear about it. The YesTribe is a community that is free to anyone who is looking to make life less restricted, more enjoyable, more interesting and more memorable. Your story doesn’t need to be an endurance adventure, many of the YesTribe are making films, raising money for good causes and developing the community. 

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We’d love to hear from you, share your stories here at Say Yes More or join the Yes Tribe Facebook group to connect with fellow YesTribers. 

Make life memorable, Say Yes More!

Tribe Stories Round Up - November 19 2016

A weekly (most of the time!) round-up of stories, events and projects coming out of the YesTribe.

Researched and written by Richard Potter

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A GOOD WEEKEND

SayYesMore is supporting A Good Weekend, an initiative to allow everyone to do more by collecting thousands of events, experiences and activities for people in Britain and across the world to try.

The organisers are aiming to complete the list by the weekend of 17 to 20 March 2017. If you know of an event or experience that you’d like to share, or if you’d simply like to try something new (like skiing, paddling or a festival) then A Good Weekend, is for you!

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CHRIS GOODMAN: (UN)INSPIRED RAMBLINGS

In August 2016 Chris Goodman began a bike journey across Greece, including the Bike Odyssey route (which uses dirt roads to cross the Greek mainland from close to the Albanian border in the North, to the Gulf of Corinth in the South) as well as some travel further south, across the Peloponnese and perhaps onto Crete. 

You can learn more about Chris’ trip (and his past adventures) at his website and you can also follow his progress through Facebook.

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EMMA KAREMBO TAYLOR: THE NEPAL MARATHON

On the 26th of November our very own Emma Karembo Taylor will run the Nepal International Marathon to raise money for Street Child, a UK charity that aims to create educational opportunity for some of the world's most vulnerable children.  Go Emma!

You can learn more about the Nepal International Marathon here and donate to Emma’s fundraising page here.

Have you been inspired by any of these stories? Do you have your own to share? We’d love to hear about it. The YesTribe is a community that is free to anyone who is looking to make life less restricted, more enjoyable, more interesting and more memorable. Your story doesn’t need to be an endurance adventure, many of the YesTribe are making films, raising money for good causes and developing the community. 

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We’d love to hear from you, share your stories here at Say Yes More or join the Yes Tribe Facebook group to connect with fellow YesTribers. 

Make life memorable, Say Yes More!

Walking the Length of New Zealand

Words by Tribe member Adele-Ivy Harris

After being in Nepal last year during the earthquake, the imbalances of the world were evident. We had the opportunity to leave to continue travelling when others had to stay and rebuild their lives. We decided to use that opportunity to raise as much money as possible to rebuild schools in Nepal. 

Carl Hutchinson came up with the idea... "We could just walk the entire length of New Zealand?!" 

I said YES!

And last month WE MADE IT!!!!!! 193 days and 1800 miles from Bluff to Cape Reinga

Strong memories from the last 6 months were played over as we neared the end. Summer days starting out with the burning sun nearly defeating us, the first intense uphill where Carl hit a brick wall and struggled on, feeding on sugary chocolate, the road walk towards Mavora Lakes where I nearly fainted and we took breaks every 20 minutes sweating still in the shade, Breast Hill Track, the first time weighed down with 7 days of food with tears all the way up, so overwhelmed by the hard work ahead. And the blisters. So. Many. Blisters. 

We laughed at the difficulties of the first 6 weeks when the vast difference in our fitness levels and walking speeds caused frictions (which never lasted more than 5 minutes), and laughed once again at all the stupid things laughed at a million times before. Then reminisced about the moments of complete satisfaction, complete happiness, complete joy at the connection we've gained with the nature once so foreign but became our home. Dips in crystal clear mountain rivers refreshing our tired bodies, the feeling on reaching the top of a peak that's been the focus all day, the magical forests, fiery sunsets, the roaring stags. We had fallen in holes, fallen in rivers, and fallen in love with the raw beauty around us. And there is just far too much to say about all the kind-hearted people who have enriched our lives, each teaching us valuable life lessons. 

Cape Reinga came into sight - with the lighthouse signifying the end of this journey which began 15 months ago with the earthquake in Nepal - and emotions came flooding through. We so wanted to run, but forced ourselves to walk, to absorb. And then we were there, the finishing line, and with tears mingling Carl asked me to marry him.

1868 miles walked
193 days since setting off
£8900 raised Himalayan Trust

1 question popped (I said yes!!!!) 

We began as novice hikers, and ended with the feeling that anything can be achieved, as long as you keep putting one foot in front of the other.

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YesTribe Stories - Round Up

The YesTribe is a community turning ideas into action, whether that be encouraging adventurous thinking, finding (or creating) work we love, getting involved in charities or simply designing a lifestyle that fits perfectly with our individual personalities and needs.

We're going to be regularly sharing YesTribe stories and here's our latest bunch of brilliant and inspiring YesTribe stories of those who are making life more memorable.

Do you want to feature? No idea is too small, journey too short, we welcome all stories old and new - share yours at SayYesMore.

Chaz Powell - The Wildest Journey: walking the length of the Zambezi River

Chaz is currently attempting to walk the Length of the Zambezi river. He's expecting it to take 6 months and is currently 400 miles and 1 month along. 

It is a solo and unaided walk, starting at the source of the river in the Kalene Hills in North Western Zambia, then following the River for 1599 miles through Angola, Zambia and Mozambique, until eventually reaching the Indian Ocean.

Chaz says 'My reasons for wanting to walk the Zambezi is because I'm a passionate adventurer and want to challenge myself in the wildest of environment's.'

You can follow Chaz and send some support and encouragement on his Facebook and Website, or donate to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation here.

Olivia Rutherford - Walked the Camino de Santiago

This Summer 2016 Olivia Rutherford walked the Camino de Santiago, a 500 mile stretch across Spain from St Jean Pied de Port in the French Pyrenees to Santiago in North West Spain.

Olivia says 'it was the most incredible experience and having just finished my A-levels it was a great adventure for me.' 

Amazing stuff! Read more about Olivia's experience and get in touch here.

Wolfgang Haak: Sea Kayaking the Swedish Archipelago

Wolfgang is heading off on Sunday to the Swedish Archipelago (1000s of small, uninhabited islands dotted around clear, tranquil waters) for a sea kayaking adventure for 7-10 days! 

Have a great trip!

Aaron Mitchell - Attempting to ride solo round the world on motorbike

In 2014, Aaron embarked on his first motorcycle adventure around Western Europe, which inspired his current adventure where he is attempting to ride solo around the world, unsupported. He is currently in California and hopes to complete his trip in 2017.

Aaron is raising money for the Royal Bristol Legion. 

You can find out more and follow Aaron's progress through his website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

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Have you been inspired by any of these stories? Do you have your own to share? We’d love to hear about it. The YesTribe is a community that is free to anyone who is looking to make life less restricted, more enjoyable, more interesting and more memorable. Your story doesn’t need to be an endurance adventure, many of the YesTribe are making films, raising money for good causes and developing the community. 

We’d love to hear from you, share your stories here at Say Yes More or join the Yes Tribe Facebook group to connect with fellow YesTribers. 

Make life memorable, Say Yes More!

YesTribe Stories - Round Up

2 September 2016

The YesTribe is a community turning ideas into action, whether that be encouraging adventurous thinking, finding (or creating) work we love, getting involved in charities or simply designing a lifestyle that fits perfectly with our individual personalities and needs.

We're going to be regularly sharing YesTribe stories and here's our latest bunch of brilliant and inspiring YesTribe stories of those who are making life more memorable.

Do you want to feature? No idea is too small, journey too short, we welcome all stories old and new - share yours at SayYesMore.

Melanie Joe & Michelle Ellison - Source 2 Sea, Thames River Relay

The Thames River Relay kicked off this week, which is a Totally Thames Festival event aiming to promote the use of the River Thames recreationally and to raise awareness of the health of the river. This is a community event that aims to encourage people of all ages and abilities to use the river recreationally and most importantly to have fun on our waterways.

In support of this initiative, Yes Tribers Mel and Michelle have organised an SUP paddling relay running the length of the Thames!! To find out more, follow the journey or get involved check out the Facebook page.

The YesTribe are taking part between Eynsham and Oxford on Saturday 3rd September, show your support and find out more here.

Jon Beardmore - Film Maker. The Great Game: 30,000 miles across Central Asia

Inspired by a game of cricket in Kabul, Jon set out on an extraordinary nine-month solo overland journey across Central Asia in a 20 year Landcruiser called Boris and only his mascot Kiwi Ted for company. He set off with one burning question in mind - is Central Asia really as dangerous as we're led to believe?

Since returning Jon has created a brilliant film which has won the Adventure Travel Film Festival 'New Talent Award' for 2016.

If you haven't had chance to see it yet, the next viewing is in London at the the London Charity Premiere on 8th October 2016. You can get your tickets here.

You can find out more about The Great Game through Facebook and the website, @thegreatgamemovie. You can also find out more about what Jon's up to on his Facebook page.

Slow Travel Girls - Geraldine (Ged) McFaul and Erin Williams

A YesTribe shout out to the Slow Travel Girls who last year walked from Cardiff to the source of the river Thames and then onto London, to raise money for Hope & Homes for Children and StoryCorps. Since then, they have spoken at a Night of Adventures sharing what they learned along the way.

You can follow them on Facebook and check out their website to find out more about their experience, who they met and what they learned on their way. Oh and be sure to watch their presentation! What's next?

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Have you been inspired by any of these stories? Do you have your own to share? We’d love to hear about it. The YesTribe is a community that is free to anyone who is looking to make life less restricted, more enjoyable, more interesting and more memorable. Your story doesn’t need to be an endurance adventure, many of the YesTribe are making films, raising money for good causes and developing the community. 

We’d love to hear from you, share your stories here at Say Yes More or join the Yes Tribe Facebook group to connect with fellow YesTribers. 

Make life memorable, Say Yes More!

YesTribe Stories - Round Up

26 August 2016

The YesTribe is a community turning ideas into action, whether that be encouraging adventurous thinking, finding (or creating) work we love, creating or getting involved in charities or simply designing a lifestyle that fits perfectly with our individual personalities and needs.

Today we want to share a few YesTribe stories of those who are making life more memorable. Keep an eye out for more YesTribe Stories to come and get in touch to submit yours too.

Chris Barnes and the YesBus

The YesBus is a double decker bus conversion project with the vision of creating a unique creative hub for the YesTribe in the UK. Having recently found a dinosaur illustrated bus in the Isle of Wight, efforts are underway to convert it into the YesTribe's portable haven. 

Follow it’s progress, show your support or get involved on the website and on Facebook. You can read more about the vision here.

 

Anne-Laure Carruth - Artist

At the beginning of this year, Anne-Laure committed to exploring her creative potential to inspiring results, Anne-Laure says "I'm finding my own path, taking the risk and feeling the exhilarating terror of not knowing what's going to happen". 

Since then, Anne-Laure has held numerous exhibitions, now runs a series of workshops and has featured in an International Creative Podcast.

You can find out about what Anne-Laure's up to at her website and on Facebook.

Jon Doolan - 52 activities for 52 charities

Jon has set himself the challenge to complete 52 different activities for 52 charities, Jon is almost half way through and so far has ran the Bath Half marathon, walked 100km from Oxford to London, completed the vertical rush stair climb, as well as organising many micro adventures - just a snippet of brilliant achievements for worthy causes.

Jon's next adventure is to run, bike and kayak from Nairn on the North coast of Scotland to Fort William, on the South West coast - 105 miles! You can sponsor Jon here and follow Jon's next challenges on Facebook.

Henry Blanchard and the Uganda Marathon team

Two and half years ago Henry, Nick, Tim and JP watched Dave ( www.davecornthwaite.com) speak at a Say Yes More talk, Henry says that "immediately they decided on a whim to “say yes” to an impromptu 3 peaks challenge, with no kit, no preparation, no training and no idea. After that, things suddenly seemed more… possible. Because, as it turns out, one YES will have lots of little YES babies, if you give it the chance."

Since then, Henry and team have created a week long festival in Uganda that culminates in a marathon bringing together 200 international visitors with 3,000 locals for a run that is all about fun, social impact and community. Not only has the event impacted and inspired so many others, it has gone on to win "Best International Event" at the official UK Running Awards! Incredible!

Planning for the third Uganda International Marathon is underway, with the next race taking place in June 2017

You can find out more and sign up here and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Have you been inspired by any of these stories? Do you have your own to share? We’d love to hear about it. The YesTribe is a community that is free to anyone who is looking to make life less restricted, more enjoyable, more interesting and more memorable. Your story doesn’t need to be an endurance adventure, many of the YesTribe are making films, raising money for good causes and developing the community. 

We’d love to hear from you, share your stories here at Say Yes More or join the Yes Tribe Facebook group to connect with fellow YesTribers. 

Make life memorable, Say Yes More!

Author: Emma Masding

YesTribe Stories - Round-Up

The YesTribe is a community turning ideas into action. Many of the you are either on adventures or planning the next one, so we at YesTribe are going to put these all together and share, with many more to come!

Show your support for our YesTribers out on adventures now…

Lindsey Cole: Walking the Rabbit Proof Fence

Lindsey Cole is currently walking 1,000 miles along the Rabbit Proof Fence in the Australian wilderness, solo… go Lindsey!

Inspired by the true story recounted in the novel and film Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence, Lindsey is retracing Molly, Daisy and Grace’s steps and walking 1,000 miles from Moore River Native Settlement to Jigalong, following the Rabbit Proof Fence.

Lindsey says “I’ve got a sat phone, Epirb, walking trailer carrying my food, water lalalalala. And they just did it in their nighties. Totally incredible!!!!”

Lindsey has been walking solo since 11th July!! Send your support and connect with Lindsey (and Trevor her trusty 2 wheeled steed) on Facebook here. 

Shara Dillon: Under African Skies

Shara Dillon is taking part in her first water bound expedition and is currently paddling the length of the largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Tanganyika! Check our her recent trek to see chimps in the wild at the Mahale National Park — incredible. Fingers crossed for Burundi visa!

Connect with Shara and follow her adventure through Facebook, Twitter and her website.

Adam Sultan: RideTheWorld

A list of Yes Tribe adventurers would be amiss without mention of Adam Sultan, serial adventurer. Adam left the London 2012 Olympic Velodrome on 18th June 2016 and is going to cycle the world. Adam is currently exploring Chamonix while following the 2014 Tour de France route.

Adam says “I plan to fully immerse myself in the cultures of the world and live unique experiences. My desire to take on an adventure of such magnitude is to gain a better understanding of the world and its inhabitants; exposing myself to nature at its rawest and people at their most delightful.”

Looks like you’re having a blast Adam, we’re looking forward to seeing where your adventure takes you.

You can find out more at Adam’s website and follow his journey on Facebook.

Elise Downing: Run the Coast

Since November 2015 Elise Downing has been running around the UK coast, eating lots of cake and getting wonderful support along the way.

Elise is on the home straight now and strides back into London on 27th August! You can come and wave her in at the Greenwich Park Boating pond at 2pm. 

Send some support to Elise through her Facebook and if you fancy popping a few bob in her charity’s piggy bank you can sponser her here.

Tommy Scargill: The Hopeful Vagabond

Tommy Scargill is taking part in an epic cycle ride from UK to China, he’s 11 countries down, back en route following a quick visa pit stop. You can follow Tommy’s journey as he heads to his next stop Estonia and find out about all of his other adventures through Facebook, Instagram and his website.

Tommy’s raising money for the Royal Marsden Hospital which he stays saved his life from cancer twice, you can sponsor Tommy here.

BECKY COPUS - PEG IT TO THE COAST

The second stage of an ongoing fundraising mission in aid of Diabetes UK, Becky is currently cycling from Winnipeg to the coast in Canada.

YesTribe adventurers in training…

GangesSUP

In Autumn 2016 Spike Reid, Shilpka Guatam and Pascal Dubois will set off down the River Ganges in the first-ever attempt to stand-up paddleboard from source to sea.

The team are undertaking this precarious journey to raise awareness on plastic pollution and water quality and help clean up the ‘River of Life’.

They recently completed a 300km training route on the River Shannon against strong winds and are now back in the UK excitedly preparing for their Ganges SUP challenge.

Follow their story and preparations on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and on their website. 

And now for YesTribe recent returners: 

Kate Davis & Andy Bartlett: SUP the Danube

A warm welcome back to solid ground to Kate Davis and Andy Bartlett who recently returned from their epic journey along the Danube. They began paddling on 3rd March and returned nearly 5 months later!!

It’s been fantastic to follow your videos, pictures and posts along the way. An incredibly inspirational journey full of determination, endurance and positivity even when faced with unexpected hurdles along the way. We look forward to hearing more about what you’ve taken away from your experience and thank you for sharing.

For those who want to find out more and catch up on their immense adventure, check out Facebook, their website, Kate’s Twitter, Andy’s Twitter and Andy’s Instagram.

Stace Martin: 1,000 mile cycle

Massive congratulations to Stace Martin who completed his first non-motorised adventure by cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End! Oh and also raised a fantastic £1,000 for the Wildlife Friends Foundation in Thailand.

Nice one Stace. For those of you who missed it you can follow Stace here on Facebook.

Greg Harradine - Glasgow to London by ElliptiGO

Read more about Greg's swift 450 mile romp on an elliptical trainer with wheels in this blog.

Have you been inspired by any of these stories? Do you have your own to share? We’d love to hear about it. The YesTribe is a community that is free to anyone who is looking to make life less restricted, more enjoyable, more interesting and more memorable. Your story doesn’t need to be an endurance adventure, many of the YesTribe are making films, raising money for good causes and developing the community. 

We’d love to hear from you, share your stories here at Say Yes More or join the Yes Tribe Facebook group to connect with fellow YesTribers. 

Make life memorable, Say Yes More!

Author: Emma Masding