Thank you for being with Raleigh in 2024!

2024 has been a big year for Raleigh International. Over the last twelve months, 352 young people have taken part in our Expeditions on experiences which has changed their lives and changed the lives of others. As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on another exciting year at Raleigh.

2024 has been a year of climbing from strength to strength for Raleigh International and our Expedition programme. In our 40th year since Operation Raleigh began in 1984, we are proud to have continued seeing positive impact being made in South Africa and Costa Rica through our projects, as well as in the lives of our young Venturers from around the world who have embodied the Raleigh spirit. 

A year of success in South Africa

In South Africa’s first full year of Expeditions, 112 Raleigh Venturers spent over 550 hours working on important projects improving educational facilities in rural Kruger. Working in Nourish Eco Village, Venturers helped improve facilities at the local community centre which supports over 400 students, Venturers engaged with the local Green Kidz club, supporting over 100 children through environmental lessons, sports and reading classes. Through work creating and maintaining vegetable gardens, Raleigh projects supported a local feeding programme benefitting over 400 children. 

On Environment projects Venturers worked in the Sawong Reserve, tackling invasive plant species, bush encroachment, fire breaking and seed planting. For the first time, they supported work at the Cape Vulture Conservancy, where they cleared over 25,000 sqm of bush, over 2,000 metres of old fencing and wiring, and continued to support with snare removal. Through their projects, they have helped to conserve local wildlife and preserve Kruger’s spectacular nature.

Building on impact in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, 240 Venturers worked in 6 Indigenous communities in the Chirripo region, working to support the construction of new school classrooms and educational facilities to improve access to learning for young people. Alongside construction, action days were held to raise awareness on different topics including recycling, climate change, and waste management. 

During environmental phases, Venturers supported several national parks around the country in projects focused on biodiversity, repairing, painting, and reinstalling wooden signs, turtle conservation, infrastructure work, and trail maintenance to improve access within rainforested areas. 

Reaching new young people through the Raleigh SES Bursary

In 2024 we were proud to announce a ground-breaking partnership with the Scientific Exploration Society (SES) with the launch of a new bursary for UK young people from less advantaged backgrounds to participate on Raleigh Expeditions.

With Raleigh SES Explorer Award in place for the next three years, this year we were proud to welcome 7 young people onto Expeditions in South Africa and Costa Rica through the scheme. Austin, a care-leaver from London, received the SES Explorer Award and said of his experience:

“After Raleigh I will be heading back into education and trying to live a new way of life where I incorporate the small things I learned during my Expedition, like persistence and solitary time. Raleigh has really given me the motivation that I needed to continue pushing in life and exploring the world.”

A new generation of Venturers on our UK Expedition

In a Raleigh first, in July this year 14 young Venturers between the ages of 14 and 16 set off on an extraordinary 6-day journey along the South Devon coast on a unique UK Expedition. In honour of Raleigh’s sailing origins, this Expedition gave young UK Venturers a taste life on the seas, where they learnt the importance of environmental conservation on Britain’s coast while having an adventurous experience taking part in sailing, archery and camping building resilience, confidence and team-building skills along the way.  

Success through our Digital Detox Expeditions

After announcing our our no-phones-on-Expedition policy last year, we’ve been thrilled to see the benefits of it in action this year and the positive feedback it has received from our Venturers.  In 2024, 80% of Venturers said they did not miss having their phone, 70% said they were happier without it on Expedition and 67% said they would continue to take time away from their phones at home. We continue to strive to give our young people the opportunity to embrace their Expeditions away from the pressures of modern life and to prioritise their mental wellbeing.

Special moments from the year

This year we were pleased to welcome some special faces to our Expeditions. In September we had a special visit from Raleigh founder, John Blashford Snell who visited our Costa Rica Venturers during a surprise visit to our Fieldbase in Turrialba, while in April were were excited to welcome Aydan Al-Saad, Raleigh’s new Brand Ambassador, to an Expedition in Costa Rica. 15 years after his Raleigh Expedition to Borneo, we were thrilled to welcome Aydan back to Raleigh and are excited to continue our brand partnership in 2025.

Looking ahead to 2025

In 2025 we can’t wait to welcome more Venturers from around the world on Expeditions in South Africa, Costa Rica and, for the first time in 6 years, Borneo! We are excited to launch our Borneo Expeditions in January 2025, where Raleigh  Venturers will work on vital mangrove restoration, meet orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, trek across the incredible Salt Trail and improve infrastructure in the local indigenous communities. 

Thank you for being part of the Raleigh community, this year and always

This year we were proud to mark 40 years of Raleigh Expeditions and every single alumni that has made Raleigh what it is today. Whether you joined us this year or 40 years ago, we are grateful to every one that has built the Raleigh community and stepped up to make the world a better place. We look forward to continue having you with us in 2025. 

Thank you for being part of the Raleigh family this year. Wishing you festive greetings and a Happy New Year.