Focus on...our Fieldbase Staff

Tim Berriman is not only our resident ‘cupid’ (see blog post from our Valentine’s party) but is also the Deputy Programme Manager here at Raleigh India. I managed to pin him down for 5 of his precious minutes to ask him a few questions:

Briefly describe your Raleigh role.

I am responsible for the staff and participant training programme and the day-to-day management of the expedition in the absence of Mark and Gavin. I plan the changeover activities when our venturers return to Fieldbase after each Phase and can generally sort out any technical problems with computers and our communications equipment.

What is the best part of your job?

The fact that it is so varied and I get to meet and spend time with everyone here on the expedition.

And the worst?

I don’t get to go out to the project sites very much as I am mostly based in Fieldbase.

Name your favourite Raleigh trekking food.

Sandwich spread

What should you never leave home without before a Raleigh expedition?

Lots of gaffa tape and some toilet roll.

Tell us what you’ve been up to so far today?

I’ve been in several meetings, including a discussion with Mark about the Adventure Challenge we are putting together for June this year. I’ve been trying to figure out all the wiring for our communication system and have eaten some very sugary Indian sweets.

Tell us something people don’t know about you.

I used to milk cows for a living.

Do you have any good India-related facts?

The height of an elephant to its shoulder is four times the circumference of its front foot.

What is your favourite expedition memory?

Dancing under the stars with forty participants in the Namib Desert (Namibia) around a very small ipod.

What is your Raleigh theme tune?

Into the Danger Zone from the Top Gun soundtrack.

Is there life after Raleigh?

Raleigh is life. (I haven’t thought that far ahead yet).