...as long as he’s not too scary!”

For the first time since their ‘3 Peaks Challenge’, a team of London bus drivers called ‘The Routemasters’ came together to discuss their next adventure in aid of charity.

In 2008, they were selected from over 1,000 hopefuls to represent their city as part of the closing ceremony for the 2008 Olympic Games. Unfortunately, due to the catastrophic earthquake in China, the project was cancelled just weeks before they were due to depart on the overland adventure of a lifetime.

Max Adventure were contracted to plan and lead that expedition and when it was cancelled I promised the bus drivers that one day I would take them on that adventure – that date is now set for 2011.

I met the team at The London Pub in Russell Square, the meeting point where they would have a stiff drink after being subjected to a round of vaccinations in preparation for the Beijing trip. It seemed fitting that we should return their again and plan our new venture together.

Unfortunately, not all 12 could make it and we had apologies from Diana, Paul and Sandro. Shawn seems to have gone AWOL, even though he has already submitted his biography for the website, so we know he is keen. Shawn, if you’re reading this, you’re coming with us whether you like it or not!

After giving a presentation outlining the overall plan, we heard from Debbie that her company, Go Ahead, seem to have agreed to give us a bus already for the project, which will be donated to a children's charity in India! Although not confirmed as yet, this is fantastic news and reassurance that the TFL operating companies are keen to support the bus drivers.

This is very much a team effort and I’m keen that the bus drivers should plan and organise as much of the expedition themselves. This way, they will get so much more out of the project and it will be a much greater achievement, rather than just turn up on the day having had it all organised for them. Various jobs were issued out and the following team leaders have been selected:

Wayne Ball – Deputy Expedition Leader & Logistics
Sue Bates – Charity Liaison
Wayne Ashe – Marketing & PR
John Hickey – Clothing & Equipment
Jose Baxter – Communications
Rafal Biesiadecki – Mechanic
Diane King – Cook & Medic

Max Adventure will have overall responsibility for organising the expedition and I will lead it. The plan at this stage is that Support Team members from the ‘3 Peaks Challenge’ will join the team at various stages of the journey, including ‘Sergeant Major’ Steve Holland....a fearsome character.

“He can come along as long as he’s not too scary!” begged Sue!

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