Meet The People Giving Away Their Money For Someone Else’s Adventure

If you have an idea for an adventure then you should apply for my grant now.

I call it ‘my’ grant but I only fund a fraction of it myself. Most of the money comes from other people. There are nine adventurers (people) who are each giving between £100 and £200 towards the grant. I thought I should introduce them to you and say a public THANK YOU for their generosity.

Just as remarkable as these folks giving away their hard earned cash is the fact that no less than 49 other members of the public have chipped in too. They’ve each donated £3 to as-yet-unknown strangers.

If you’d like to contribute to the grant then you can read all about it here or just go ahead and donate £3 here.

In the meantime, here are the people supporting The Next Challenge Grant…

These people giving away their own money for YOU to have an adventure…

Lyn Eyb

I grew up riding my bike for a sense of freedom and independence. As a kid, I’d jump on my bike and ride the 17 or 18km to my grandma’s just to get away. An adventure doesn’t have to take you across the world – just to a different space. I love how this grant is making it possible for others to find their own space.”

Lyn is donating her €150 (~£120) towards doing something cool in France.

Matt Bridgestock

20 years ago I was given my first ‘proper adventure’ sponsorship of £100 by a lovely guy called Richard Armetis. He told me it would “change my life”. I wasn’t sure I wanted my life changed, but it did, completely. It’s probably time to pay that favour back.”

Anna McNuff

As a middle sibling, with two brothers you’d likely have found a younger me on a football pitch, ragging a battered BMX through the forest, climbing trees or face-planting into the nearest muddy puddle. Adventures as a kid are simple and daily occurrences, and adult life should be no different. I’m stoked to be supporting a grant which will help some big kids find their way back to the freedom and simplicity of an adventurous life.”

Tim Brayshaw

I have loved reading about all the fantastic adventures last year’s grant enabled. The wide variety of expeditions embarked upon was truly inspiring and has certainly given me ideas for future trips. Only by getting people out and about discovering our planet will we inspire people to care enough to look after it for the future. Going on adventures and having fun outdoors should be available to everyone. I am delighted to support a scheme which helps make this a possibility.”

Tim’s contribution will go towards an expedition that really considers and gives thought to it’s environmental impact.

Tom Allen

Travel and adventure has played a huge role in my life, a teacher of countless life lessons that I couldn’t have learned any other way. I’m proud to be part of a grant-giving project to give others that same opportunity.

Mark Beaumont

Getting to the start of any adventure is the hardest part – actually committing to take on your big idea and then raise the support. This grant is unlikely to cover all the costs, but I hope is a catalyst to get you going. And you can also pick each of our brains for advice – but beware, we are a motley crew with some odd ideas of what defines good fun!”

Margaret Bowling

I grew up in Tasmania, where adventure is just what you do on the weekends. I’d love everyone to have that same opportunity. So I urge you all, regardless of whether you are awarded a grant or not, to make adventure just what you do on the weekends. Instead of ‘wild’ swimming or camping, make it just swimming or camping. Instead of going on an ‘expedition’ just head off on a trip for a bit. Make adventure your everyday. “

Margaret is donating her money towards the expedition with the best filming potential.

Richard Harpham

“The best adventure is the one that you take. Whether they are big or small adventures are the perfect antidote to the pressures of modern life. I was lucky enough to discover adventure through Scouts and my sport of kayaking and canoeing. I hope this grant and support proves to be the first step for lots of people to step out of their comfort zone and be inspired to head into the great outdoors.”

Alastair Humphreys

I have had many wonderful adventures in my life and it’s brilliant now to be able to help other people get going on their own exciting journeys.”

Leon McCarron

A relatively small amount of money can go a very long way on an adventure (most of my trips have cost well under £1000 for weeks or months of travel.) I’m proud to be supporting this grant in the hope that by breaking down a financial barrier, this initiative will help someone make a fantastic journey out there in the wilds of the world.