Raleigh India 10K over and out

It's been a strange old time at Field base these last few days since we bid a fond farewell to all the venturers. We've been busy shutting down the expedition, writing reports and tidying the place. It's been a time of reflection too as we finally start to realise what an amazing three months we've all had.

Tonight is our staff party where we will celebrate our time out here before we all go off on our separate ways. The experiences we've had out here been extradionary and ones we'll never forget.

We should be so proud of our achievements on Raleigh India 10K:

Community
Built five tribal house and 24 eco-sanitation units for two villages in the states of Tamil Nadu & Karnataka, greatly improving the living conditions and lives of the tribal and scheduled caste communities.

Environmental
Repaired and built elephant-proof trenches with solar powered fences for two communities in the state of Karnataka, helping protect precious habitat, boost the income of struggling farmers and decrease human-elephant conflict.

Adventure
Completed exciting and challenging adventures that included trekking, rafting, cycling and survival skills in remote and wilderness environments in the state of Kerala.

Thank you to everyone who has been involved, Mark, Anna, Deepak, the drivers, the volunteer managers and most of all to the venturers, who were a truly amazing bunch. We hope you go on and do amazing things ...

  

The Class of  Raleigh India 10K



Farewell Fun and an Emotional Goodbye

With lots of chores to be done before the Venturers could depart, we organised a Tug of War Tournament for the winners to be able to choose which task they would complete.

Playing knock out rounds the final featured Echo Three and Tango Six. Each group was fit and strong from spending the last 19 days digging a trench for 7 hours a day and trekking and cycling 200k respectively.

Echo Three - "Heave!"

Tango Six - "Ho!"

Echo Three - "Heave!"

Tango Six - "Ho!"



Echo Three - "Heave!"


... and so it was with brute force and determination that Echo Three cinched it and dragged Tango Six across the line into the dust.



The moment Tango Six slipped over the line, crowning Echo Three the champions

The afternoon was then spent doing final reviews and then once the tasks had been completed it was time to celebrate as everyone donned their glad rags and made their way to Field base's transformed roof terrace for
The Golden Ganesh Awards.

The Awards recognised the varety of contributions Venturers and PMs have made to the Raleigh 10K exedition, from best sleeper, to biggest casanova, to Masterchef.

Additionally, there were two special awards voted for by the PMs for Most Outstanding Male and Female Venturers. With many amazing individuals amongst the Raleigh 10K group it was difficult to choose, but the well deserved winners were awarded the prestigous accolades for their consistent contribution, positivity and inspirational leadership.

Congratulations to:

Amy Gannon

Robbie Dwyer

&

After some emotional thank you speeches and Polly B's amazing expedition slideshow that reminded everyone on what an amazing journey Raleigh has been, the music was cranked up and we partied the night away.

Then far too soon, this morning it was time to say goodbye as we sent the Venturers on their way, back out into world. Some are heading up to Banglaore tonight to catch flights back to their homes while others are carrying on travelling.

We hope we've sent them on their way with amazing memories, of an incredible experience that will stay with them to motivate and inspire them to lead extradinory lives ...

All text by Polly Carpenter and photos by Polly Baldwin http://www.dynamicpictures.co.uk/ (unless stated otherwise).