We are thrilled to introduce our London Ambassador Team, a group of outstanding outdoor enthusiasts hailing from across the UK region.
Our ambassadors serve as vital links to the diverse communities nestled within our area. Collaborating closely with them, we strive to bring engaging activations, valuable opportunities, and unwavering support to our local communities.
Meet a Londoner who thrives in thin air, finding solace in the heights. Her favourite unconventional pastime involves rising at unsocial hours to conquer mountains adorned with north faces and steep ice.
As a proud mother to a wonderful daughter and @littlealpinist, she delights in sharing mountain adventures with her 13-year-old son, adding a new layer of joy to their outdoor pursuits. Despite being a late bloomer in climbing, starting in her 30s, she has more than made up for lost time, spending over a year sleeping in tents over the past decade. Her endeavours have earned her two Guinness records and cultivated a taste for ascending uncharted peaks.
Meet Charlie Smith, a designer, explorer, and storyteller with a passion for venturing into frozen and inhospitable environments. With a portfolio of expeditions spanning the Arctic, Charlie is no stranger to discomfort in extreme conditions.
At just 26 years old, he has led expeditions across Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, and Russia, specializing in remote and isolated locations at the earth's extremes. His repertoire includes dog-sledging across Scandinavia, extensive travels in Iceland and Greenland, and enduring frozen ultramarathons and long-distance cycling journeys.
Charlie's expertise in navigating the cold is honed from countless nights spent in the Arctic winter, making him a formidable skier. Recognized as one of 'The New Shackletons: Britain’s Next Generation of Explorers' by Gentleman’s Journal and named among Wired for Adventure’s 'Most Inspiring Young Explorers', Charlie collaborates with esteemed brands like Arc’teryx and Fulfil Nutrition.
Pushing boundaries is not just a facet of his expeditions but has become a central theme in both his exploration and design endeavours.
Meet Haroon, an adventurous and thrill-seeking ambassador who has spent over a decade embarking on ambitious fundraising challenges. From running multiple marathons to scaling mountains across the globe, he has raised millions of pounds for charity while inspiring countless individuals from the South Asian and Muslim communities to join him in his endeavours.
Driven by a strong passion for diversity and inclusion in outdoor fitness, Haroon founded the Active Inclusion Network. Through initiatives like Muslim Hikers, he has worked tirelessly to create a space where people from diverse backgrounds feel welcome and represented in outdoor activities.
Under his leadership, Muslim Hikers has grown rapidly, now standing as the largest community in the world for Muslims interested in the outdoors. The organization's extensive monthly hiking program is recognized as one of the largest regular walking events in the country, promoting safety, confidence, and awareness of the outdoors among its members.
Lucy – the unstoppable force of nature and a beacon of determination in the world of outdoor adventures and ultra-marathons. With a heart that races for the thrill of the challenge, Lucy has not only embraced the world’s most daunting races but has triumphed over them with remarkable zeal.
Lucy’s journey of resilience was spectacularly showcased in the rugged terrains of Switzerland's UTMR ultra where she clinched an awe-inspiring 6th-place finish. Yet, it was her sprint across the finish line of the Florence Marathon in November 2023, clocking in at an astonishing 2:58, that shattered the formidable 3-hour barrier, marking her proudest achievement to date.
But Lucy’s thirst for adventure knows no bounds. Venturing beyond the conventional, she embarked on a monumental run from Everest Basecamp to Kathmandu, a staggering 300-mile run on foot. A testament to her unwavering spirit and endurance.
In 2022, Lucy turned her sights to the British Trail Championships and Skyline Scotland, not just participating, but defining her mark with sheer grit and grace, further proving her mettle in the trail running arena.
Now, with her eyes set on the horizon, Lucy aims to conquer the 220km ultra marathon in the Wadi Desert of Jordan. Her journey is not just about races; it's a story of passion, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of pushing beyond limits. Follow along as Lucy continues to redefine what it means to be a woman racing in the ultra-running world.
In 2005, Clinton faced a life-altering challenge when he nearly lost his left foot in a motorcycle accident. Following a lengthy recovery period, which included three months in the hospital and a year confined to his house, he embarked on a journey of resilience and transformation.
Determined to reclaim his strength, Clinton took up running despite the plates and pins in his leg. Over time, running became an integral part of his weekly routine, symbolizing his triumph over adversity.
In 2016, Clinton confronted another fear head-on when he decided to tackle his crippling fear of heights. Venturing into a local bouldering gym, he took the first steps toward conquering his phobia. From that moment on, he was captivated by the sport of climbing.
His passion for climbing led him to master a 250-meter free climb in the Gorge du Verdon, an achievement that stands as a testament to his perseverance and courage. For Clinton, the climbing community represents one of the most rewarding aspects of the sport.
Deeply enamoured with the outdoors, wildlife, and the challenges presented by Mother Nature, Clinton is a staunch advocate for outdoor exploration. He is passionate about introducing more individuals to the joys of climbing, whether in the bustling city of London or the scenic landscapes of Portland.
Meet Jasmin, a 28-year-old climber hailing from Northeast England, now calling London home. By day, she can be found at an indoor bouldering gym, where she works as a trainer, sharing her passion for climbing with others.
Jasmin thrives on the challenges of indoor bouldering and occasionally ventures into lead climbing. Yet, her heart belongs to the great outdoors, where she revels in the authenticity of climbing on real rock. Climbing serves as her sanctuary, a meditative space where she finds solace and connection.
While Jasmin enjoys the occasional competition and thrives under pressure, she equally values the serenity of solitary climbing trips, immersing herself in the purity of the natural environment.
As a trainer, Jasmin finds fulfilment in facilitating climbing experiences for others, particularly children and those battling nerves. Witnessing their confidence blossom with each move brings her unparalleled joy. There's nothing quite like the sight of a beaming smile on their faces as they conquer new heights and realize, "I did that!"
Hailing from Slovakia, Jozef spent his formative years immersed in the great outdoors—skiing, cycling, mountain biking, hiking, and playing tennis. His deep-seated love for nature is evident in their every attitude, goal, and aspiration. For him, life is an adventure, a journey best experienced in the open air.
His ultimate aim? To showcase to the world that with determination and a willingness to push boundaries, anything is achievable. He embraces life's challenges head-on, striving to inspire others to do the same. His ambition extends beyond personal triumphs; he seeks to build bridges among all individuals, fostering connections that transcend the ordinary.
Born and raised in Coventry, Amber spent her formative years feeling disconnected from the outdoors. It wasn't until 2018 when she conquered her first mountain that she realized the profound benefits of nature. Since then, she's embraced the outdoor lifestyle wholeheartedly.
Now residing in London, Amber fills her weekends with hiking, wild camping, and climbing adventures across the UK and Europe. Alongside her outdoor pursuits, she just completed of her PhD studies in mental health. Amber's research focuses on the experiences of minority groups, and she intends to continue this work after earning her doctorate.
Adam grew up in the Venezuelan Andes, an incredible playground nestled between two prominent mountain ranges with peaks reaching altitudes near 5000 meters. From a young age, he ventured into the mountains, developing a deep passion for mountaineering, climbing, trail running, and exploration. Adam is particularly passionate about high and remote mountains. So far, he has completed over 400 ascents of mountains above 4000 meters, among numerous other thrilling adventures worldwide. Climbing Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain at 8163 meters, without the aid of altitude Sherpa support or bottled oxygen, is possibly one of his greatest achievements, along with his ascents of Aconcagua and a solo ascent of Elbrus, among many other climbs across the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia.
“One of the things I love about the outdoors, and specifically mountaineering, is the freedom I feel in these incredible, isolated but gorgeous places. More importantly, it's the connection I make with the folks I climb with who become friends for life. My very best friends have come from expeditions and trips to the outdoors. I love being part of that incredible outdoor community where camaraderie and friendship are always present.”
Oisín is an adventurer and ultra-runner based out of West London. With a background in fashion styling, when travelling he often combines work with sport and is rarely caught with his feet up.
Oisín has partaken in several ultra trail events, just last year competing in his first 50 miler in Madeira. 2024 looks no different with more exciting races on the horizon including the Matterhorn Ultraks 49k and another in the Italian Dolomites, which will be his longest yet.
