The MAD Team
Welcome to Mad HQ in Newcastle upon Tyne!
.bmp)
Here in the ‘toon’ we are a happy team of staff who all embody the Mad spirit of adventure. We have all travelled extensively in the world and spend our days spreading the Mad word and swelling the numbers of Madventurers across the globe. We are always on hand to talk about our adventures and help give you the chance to make your own through volunteering and exploring worldwide. Work hard, give back, have fun and Go Mad!
Spot amongst our team our chief’s good lady wife, Elaine and Mike from BBC programme ‘Grumpy old Holidays’.
Meet The Mad Team
John Lawler
Chief
Torgbui Mottey I
(or Chief Pioneering Pathfinder of the Forest I)
Founder and Chief of the Mad Tribe, John was the original Gap Year student, setting off with his back pack on his back to Ghana, in 1998. After working in a rural village for the whole summer, helping them to set up a new Secondary school, and after being made Chief of Development of the village he taught in, John returned home and decided to recruit more students. They returned the following year to finish the project and so Madventurer was born.
John says ‘Through responsible travel, volunteering and development we all have the opportunity to give back to the fantastic regions we travel to. In our own small way by visiting some of these places and spending time with people, whether its rural Ghana or mountainous Peru, we can learn so much more than just watching Palin and co. on the BBC. So this year, make it happen and step out of your comfort zone. Take a gap and don’t look back.’
Top Travel Tip:
The best way to get to know a new culture is to work alongside the local people. Stop staring out of the window and Go Mad!
Unforgettable Mad Moment:
When Madventurer’s first ever official venturer Will Roberts arrived in Ghana, I picked him up in a Mad Landy that I had just acquired from the British High Commission that day. On the way to the project site he asked ‘How long has Madventurer been going?’ to which I replied ‘about 15 minutes’. The colour drained from his face but I'm happy to report that he had an amazing time and I still see him at reunions every year!
E-mail: chief@madventurer.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elaine Lawler
Chiefs better half
Mama Ama Wu Sika
(or people are more important than gold)
Elaine married John in the Summer of 2006, the ceremonies was followed by ITV in Newcastle and then overseas in Ghana. Seeing many Ghanian tribal cheifs arriving at Newcastle Central train station for the wedding is a indelible memory that will always stay with me. Back in Ghana I was enthroned as the original African Queen.
I am also a qualified nutritionist and previously a licensee, in the office I answer the phones and talk about the projects.
Unforgettable MAD moment:
In front of 100s of people in Ghana getting married to John and then dancing the night away African style.
Top travel tip:
Leave the diffuser at home you really can do without it!!
Email : elainel@madventurer.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tim Guinan
Director of Operations
I’m now in my fourth year working at Madventurer and am responsible for all aspects of Madventurer’s Operations overseas as well as all Crew recruitment and training here in the UK. I’ve travelled across 6 continents including current MAD destinations such as Fiji, India, Uganda, Kenya and personal favourite Tanzania. When I’m not at work I love playing football, eating potatoes and working on my tan!!
Unforgettable MAD moment:
Leading building projects on the slopes of Kilimanjaro
Top travel tip:
Travel light and always wear a smile!
Email: elainel@madventurer.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dan Robinson
Expert in Fiji, Ghana, Peru and East Africa!
After graduating from Aston University, I decided I wanted to travel the world! My adventures began at the beginning of 2005 with a Madventurer project in Peru.
My biggest challenge that year was a snow climb up Mt. Pisco. When I got home I couldn’t wait to get started leading my own projects and good old Mad sent me off to the heart of Ghana to cause as much havoc as possible in a landy. Fiji was my next stop, where I ran and ran on the beach. Now I’m back in Newcastle and even though it’s a lot colder than Ghana and Fiji, I love it. Occasionally they let me out so I went to Kenya this summer to run another project and I also learnt to milk a cow! I know all Madventurer destinations well but am currently the official expert on West Africa, call me for a chat and advice.
Unforgettable MAD moment:
Being made a chief of a Ghanaian village (I am the mini chief!)
Top travel tip:
Embrace the bucket shower! it'll change your life
E-mail: dan@Madventurer.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Parker
Gaps For Grumpies
You may have seen Mike, our Director of Gaps for Grumpies, on Television recently.
He has had a number of cameo appearances as the Grumpy father or Grumpy husband on the TV series Grumpy Old Women and Grumpy Old Holidays.
He is married to Judith Holder who wrote and produced both the programmes and as such is a fully paid up grumpy.
Before he set up Gaps for Grumpies he was Director General of Nexus, the Passenger Transport Executive in the North East who among other things operate the Tyne and Wear Metro.
He threw care to the wind,sent his suits to Oxfam and started the Gaps for Grumpies venture claiming the concept of gaps for the over 40`s arose from grumpily wondering why should just the students have "the lifetime experiences" How come they get all the fun?
Unforgettable MAD/GRUMPY moment
Swimming under a huge water fall in the Volta region of Ghana.
Top travel tip
Always dress smart for the flight, you never see a scruffy dresser upgraded!!!
Email: grumpies@madventurer.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke Charles
E-mail luke.charles@madventurer.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ben Keene
Non Executive Director
Ben started off leading groups in West Africa before heading back to the UK for a office role up in Newcastle. Then he had the big idea for Tribewanted and he set off for Fiji and Vorovoro. The recent BBC2 series charted the rise of the innovitative project. Ben hasnt looked back since and we are sure he will beome the new face for responsible tourism in the UK. We are proud he is on our board of directors.
Unforgettable Mad moment
Dealing with tribal chiefs in Ghana, always an eye opening experience.