Paul Oliver, founder of Absolute Adventure, a professional adventure outfitter based in the UAE and Oman, doesn't remember the number of tours he has done so far.
He has cycled the length of India, cycled across Cuba, climbed several mountains, delivered ambulances to needy communities in Africa, to name just a few adventurous trips he has gone on. And he has done all of this to help raise funds for various charity organisations almost across the globe.
A man who is keen to help the local community and those less fortunate, he says service has always been a strong point in his life. So what pleases him more - the adventure or the money it raises? "Adventure is how I make my living and I will always love a new challenge. But seeing the completion of a charitable project gives me the greatest satisfaction,'' he says.
1 What made you think of raising money for charities through various initiatives?
About 20 years ago I joined the Round Table organisation; a group that finds ways to help the local community and those less fortunate. Our small team would help out at special-needs schools, put on social events to raise funds for various charities and sponsor the education and health care of needy children. I got so much satisfaction from doing something worthwhile that I have ensured that service has remained an important part of my life ever since. Over the years the projects (and amounts raised) have become more ambitious.
2 How many adventurous tours have you done so far?
Too many to remember. Before co-founding Gulf for Good (G4G) I had led three expeditions delivering ambulances to poor communities in Africa and India, formed part of a team that cycled the length of India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, cycled across Cuba, climbed many mountains and was a partner/skipper in a yacht charter business. I led 13 challenges for G4G as well as visiting many of the benefiting charities in places like Palestine, Jordan, Nepal, Kenya, Tanzania and Sri Lanka. Since starting Absolute Adventure I have led dozens of overseas expeditions including many Himalayan peaks. In 2005 I was invited by the US State Department to help restart adventure tourism in Afghanistan and spent many weeks travelling the country finding trekking routes. I am now heavily involved in establishing Syria's first true adventure outfitter.
3 What pleases you more - the adventure or the money it raises?
Adventure is how I make my living and I will always love a new challenge but seeing the completion of a charitable project gives me the greatest satisfaction.
In December, I organised a cycle ride around the emirates in aid of the Christina Noble Foundation and Feline Friends. I am also working on a new ambulance donation in Africa. The epic journey should take place in summer 2011 and will take around a month.
4 Any interesting anecdotes?
During my first charity ambulance donation to Africa in the 1990s I reached the border between South Africa and Botswana on a Sunday morning. To my dismay, the border guards would not let me through until the next morning. As I sat forlorn in the car I remembered a letter I had with me. Before setting off from Dubai I had written to President Mandela seeking his support for my journey. I hadn't expected an answer but to my great surprise I got a call from his secretary who promised to send a message from the President. Sure enough I received a letter on his official letterhead bearing his signature and seal. I took that letter to the border post. "How would it look if the expedition failed because I couldn't get through the border on time?", I asked. That worked and I was on my way.
5 Do you have any advice for people wanting to go on such adventures?
I am a qualified outdoor guide and still regularly guide local adventures for individuals, schools and corporates. Last season aloneI guided 80 groups on short adventuresand undertook three overseas expeditions.
My advice: Don't delay. Start small and buildup to bigger and better things.
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