Stefan Meigh FRGS | Director

Stefan founded Action Challenge in 1997, after eleven years working on international challenge and sporting events. For three years he organised fundraising challenges for the UK based charity Sense and in that time took them to one of the market leaders in the International Charity Challenges. Stefan is a keen mountaineer, cyclist and traveller, spending as much time as possible guiding and exploring the more extreme parts of the world. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and is passionate about eco tourism and the environment.

Simon Hall FRGS | Director

Simon, as the other founder of Action Challenge, is our legal and accounting expert. He is the inspiration behind and leader of, our fishing events around the world. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and keen traveller he maintains a strong interest in all aspects of travel and exploration.

Kate Harris | Operations Manager

Kate has worked for Action Challenge since early 2005. Most of the time, you’ll find her in the office pouring over files, guidebooks and emailing everyone from charities, airlines, ground operators to participants. A keen traveler Kate brings tales from her travels from the length and breadth of the Americas, Australasia, parts of Asia and Europe. Her most recent discovery is camping and hiking weekends in Great Britain.

Antonia Lloyd | Marketing & Sales Co-ordinator

Antonia is a recent edition to the Action Challenge team, with a passion for travelling and charity work. Having been a participant on charity challenges in the past she understands what an incredible experience a charity challenge can be, and how rewarding it is on completion. She has recently come back from volunteering with street children in Cambodia, and travelling around Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. Wasting no time Antonia has already taken groups to Brazil and Cambodia.

Colo Ziffer | Trek Leader

As our very own world roaming Patagonian, Colo can be found leading, designing, planning and recceing up to 20 events for Action Challenge in a single year. He has been a mountain guide since 1995 and in recent years he has extended his experience to the mountain ranges of North America, Europe, the Himalaya and Karakoram. With the Chilean/Argentinean Andes as his playground since age 5, Colo is a real adventure-junkie and leads cross-country skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking and kayak touring groups. Colo is almost a celebrity in Ireland after leading so many Irish groups that they adopted him as one of their own.

Kieron Murphy | Trek Leader

Kieron has been representing Action Challenge since we were set up and as one of the most popular trek leaders he now looks after many of our Irish groups. Doing up to 8 trips a year Kieron is a real expert whether in China, India, Nepal, Peru or Wales. As a keen sportsman he is equally at home cycling across Arizona as he is trekking in Mongolia.

Simon Cotterrell | Trek Leader

Simon keeps coming back for more! Always popular, he is a non-stop source of fun and energy and has been a hit on events to Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia and Peru. Simon cycles everywhere so is always amongst the top choice for our hard-core cycle rides. As our design guru he has been the guiding force behind the re-branding and new look of Action Challenge.

Bruce Walsh | Trek Leader

Bruce spent much of his childhood in the wild places of New Zealand and has mountain craft in his blood. Being interested in climbing, and people’s interaction with the natural environment, has taken him to many parts of the world. Bruce has led Action Challenge groups in Sri Lanka, Bavaria, Morocco, Romania, Wales and Peru. He has a strong thirst for philosophy, culture and partying.

Bruce is very proud to be part of ACUK and his guiding mission is to ensure everyone on his treks has a brilliant experience… and a foot massage!

Simon Froggatt | Trek Leader

Simon has lead expeditions in the Alps and Andes for Action Challenge and is an avid traveller, amateur sportsman and bon vivant. He enjoys fell running, skiing and triathlons and is passionate about good food, red wine and the south of France. Simon is a pioneer in the resurgence of the old school of mountaineering and is currently learning to map read and use a compass!

Cordy Griffiths | Trek Leader

Cordy joined us in 2001 as our South American expert, having lived in Ecuador and travelled extensively in Latin America and South-East Asia. She is often found running marathons and leading trips across the Andes, cycling across Cuba or trekking the ancient routes of the Incas.

Michael Thomas | Trek Leader

Michael has been leading treks for many years and is now one our most experienced trek leaders. With his extensive experience of trekking and climbing in Europe, particularly in the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Cordillera Cantábrica and the Picos de Europa he has become our European specialist. His travels have also taken him further afield, and he has in the past led Action Challenge treks in Nepal, Patagonia and Madagascar.

Jill Houston | Trek Leader

Jill has been involved with Action Challenge UK since its start in 1997. Her wanderlust and enthusiasm for the outdoors is reflected in her love of trekking, cycling and climbing, and regular travel. Jill has accompanied groups on expeditions in Nepal, Peru and our cycling challenge across the Crocker mountains in Borneo. She currently works as Business Development Manager for the National Trust in Northern Ireland and previously for an international development charity which took her to India, Romania and East Africa.

Leslie McNab | Trek Leader

Leslie is a global nomad. Adaptable, intuitive, comfortable in her own skin, she feels at home wherever she happens to be – an attitude that’s served her well in travels that have taken her across North America, New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, India, Nepal and Europe. Presently her oasis of choice is Newfoundland, a rocky island on Canada’s east coast that feeds her obsession for rock climbing, wilderness trekking and snowboarding. Leslie is an experienced outdoor climbing guide and snowboarding instructor. She also works as a journalist and photographer, and is studying homeopathic medicine.

Marisa Vera | Trek Leader

Marisa has been involved with Action Challenge treks for a number of years. Based in Argentine Patagonia she is a trek leader in the summer and ski instructor in the winter. Marisa leads our treks in her native land and around other parts of the Americas.

Michael Byrne | Trek Leader

Michael can turn his hand to almost anything being equally at home on a bicycle, sailing boat or in a pair of walking boots. Probably the fastest talking rep with Action Challenge, Michael is ultimately proud of the fact that almost no-one can understand a word he says. Michael is an old hand in the Andes and most recently been heading our European cycle challenges.

James Davison | Trek Leader

James started his link with Action Challenge as a participant on one of the first cycling challenges in Borneo. He’s remained a keen cyclist ever since and often joins our London to Paris cycle groups. James likes to explore parts of the world either by foot, bike or canoe and most recently has been raving about Slovenia, New Zealand and Wales.

John Wright | Support and logistics

John Wright joined our team as support truck driver for the Orange London to Paris Cycle Challenge in 2006. With 29 years Fire Service experience, John is no stranger to action or indeed a challenge. His recent exploits include a 10 week African overland truck safari from Nairobi to Cape Town and will turn his enjoyment antennae to anything from horse riding to sky diving. A true perennial adventurer...

Lynda Elms | Trek Leader

Lynda has participated in many challenges which she has experienced both as an avid fundraiser and as a Trek/Cycle Leader. No stranger to a tough trek or cycle ride Lynda has been to Peru, Africa, Sri Lanka and Borneo (to name a few destinations). In the UK you are most likely to see her rowing on the Thames and beyond...

Beth Parmar | Trek Leader

Beth first met Action Challenge as a participant on Trek Peru. She’s been a fan ever since and often joins our long weekend treks in Europe as a fearless leader. Beth is great at supporting and motivating our trekkers and is always popular.

Alex Harris | Trek leader

Alex Harris, our corporate challenge leader, is both an inspirational speaker and an experienced mountaineer. He has been climbing around the world for more than 12 years and his ascents include the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on all continents. His achievements are endless and include leading the South African expedition to the north side of Mount Everest in 1996 and recently summiting Everest, leading the first South African ascent of Mount Vinson, Antarctica's highest mountain. Alex is also a keen caver and has been on caving expeditions to both Madagascar and Siberia. Apart from adventure, Alex is passionate about public speaking and spending time in the bush.

James Burstow | Trek Leader

James is an old hand at leading challenge events. He has rapidly become one of our most popular members of staff and is in constant demand. His enthusiasm for trekking and cycling combined with his passion for travel has taken him around the world in search of adventure. Trekking Chile's Torres del Paine national park, the Sierra Laguna in Mexico, New Zealand's Southern Alps and the Himalayas, and cycling through the Canadian Rockies, crossing Borneo and cycling the South Downs Way.

Gustavo Di Ciurcio | Trek Doctor

In his 15 years of experience, Paramedic, medical emergencies Technician and Pre Hospital Trauma Life Support instructor, Gustavo, has worked all over Argentina, Chile and Brazil, as well as in France and Spain, both in outdoor events, adventure races and ski resorts. Gustavo speaks Spanish with his English improving all the time.

Dr. Simon Watson | Trek Doctor

Simon has worked for Action Challenge since 2003 as a doctor, and has biked in Cambodia, trekked Brazil and has more recently ventured up Mt Etna. He is a fulltime GP and Forensic Medical Officer in Northern Ireland. He has always been interested in sport and travel, and travelled around the World twice. During his travels Simon has trekked extensively in New Zealand, done safari and white water rafting trips in Africa, and village treks in Thailand and Burma. More recently he has been interested in stamina events and completed the Great North Run, the Snowdonia Challenge, and several half marathons and triathlons in Europe.

Dr. Bob Minns | Trek Doctor

Bob started working for Action Challenge as an expedition doctor in 2005 after 13 yrs experience as a GP, trainer and university tutor both in the UK & New Zealand. He is a keen cyclist & has worked as expedition doctor for cycling groups to Vietnam, Cambodia & Sri Lanka .He travels widely in Asia solo and accompanied by his wife and 2 children. His other hobbies include sailing, canoeing & classical guitar. He has trained in expedition medicine and is a Member of the Royal College of General Practice.

Dr. Shahab Siddiqi | Trek Doctor

Shahab has been working with Action Challenge since 2005 and previous treks include the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, Borneo, Kilimanjaro and kayaking in Turkey. He qualified as a doctor in 1993 and is now a specialist surgeon. As well as traveling, Shahab enjoys running and has completed a couple of marathons. He is also interested in political history.

Dr. Geoff Perry | Trek Doctor

Geoff Perry’s choice of adventure is trekking. Having tested the mountains of Brazil, Peru, Morocco and Sierra Nevada he is always looking for the next challenge. Geoff is set to join our groups in Pakistan and India. Geoff has been a doctor since 1990 and is a runner in his spare time and occasionally competing in half-marathons. This year he is waiting for his chance to complete the London Marathon.