Our story begins with two guys who met whilst studying International Development at the University of East London, Dan and Charles, having just summiting the world's highest freestanding mountain, Kilimanjaro, in 2008. Two individuals passionate for both adventure and charity, they returned to the UK to start an adventure travel company, hoping to share their incredible experiences with as many people as they could. Over the past decade, their dream has evolved dramatically, growing into a leading adventure travel provider, which has raised over £20 million for charity and sent over 12,000 people on life-changing experiences all over the world.
OUR MISSION
“To create life-changing challenges that bring people together and make the world a better place.”
OUR ETHOS
We believe adventure is the key to life, and that the best way to travel is for a reason. What better way to see the world than through raising money for an incredible cause? We want to use the power of adventure to help make the world a better place, and we believe that you adventurers have the drive and the passion to be at the heart of creating this change. When you get involved in one of our charity challenges, not only do you guarantee yourself the trip of a lifetime, you guarantee that you are going to change the lives of others.
OUR VALUES
1. Live Life Outside Your Comfort Zone
2. Create Communities
3. Be Authentic
4. Create Moments
OUR STAFF
Dan Quille, CEO & Co-Founder
Dan had never even been on an aeroplane until he was 15 years old. A trip with his school two years later to rural Tanzania to provide school and medical equipment to villagers ignited a lifelong passion for using adventurous travel to support good causes.
His challenge highlights over the years include summiting Kilimanjaro (multiple times, despite promising himself on every summit attempt never to do it again!), watching the sunrise over the Amazon river in Peru and drinking Yak Butter Tea with a sherpa family in the Langtang region of the Himalaya!
Lara Cuthbertson, Sales and Marketing Coordinator
Since she can remember, Lara has had a serious case of the travel bug. Working a season in Canada, backpacking through Southeast Asia, and summiting Mount Kilimanjaro have been highlights for her. She always looks for a chance to explore and have an adventure, whether that’s a skydive or a fast-paced horse safari! Always with a camera to hand, she loves photography and capturing the memories she makes along the way.
Freddie Bray, Campus Account Manager
Ever since his first travel trip interrailing Europe in 2022, Freddie has had a real taste for adventure. Summiting Kilimanjaro in 2023 and driving an old, beat-up Fiat Panda 18,000km from the UK to Kazakhstan across Europe and Central Asia are just two examples of someone who believes you find out more about yourself out on a trek or expedition than you ever would behind a desk. Each year, Freddie tries to take on a year-defining challenge, and the stories and the people he picks up along the way are what he believes to truly be the most valuable.
Mike Cox, Business Development Manager, Environmental Lead
Mike was a Kilimanjaro Challenge Leader with Plymouth RAG before becoming a Campus Account Manager in 2020 and Senior in 2022. After six years with the company, he is now in a Business Development position supporting our Student Challenges Program and growing it further through new audiences and new opportunities.
He has now worked and led the team at Choose a Challenge for five years and completed the Kilimanjaro trek, Colombia Lost City Trek, Morocco Trek twice, Machu Picchu, the Lake District 10 peaks and the National UK Three Peaks 13 times.
Lucy Wynne, Trip Operations and Customer Experience Coordinator
Her passion for adventure travel was kick-started during her fourth year at the University of Glasgow, when she trekked to Everest Base Camp with Choose a Challenge. Since graduating, she has travelled to South America, where she trekked through the Amazon Rainforest, Patagonia and also hiked to Machu Picchu. She then headed to East Africa, where she camped in the Serengeti and summited Mount Kilimanjaro.
Now more inspired than ever, she’s thrilled to bring that energy to her work with Choose a Challenge, and help others embark on incredible overseas adventures and journeys of their own!
Lily Munson, Campus Account Manager
From attending scouts from a young age, I have always had a passion for being outdoors and taking on new adventures. Signing up for the Budapest Marathon with Choose A Challenge in my first year of university opened my eyes to a style of travel that helps you see the world whilst also pushing yourself to take on new challenges and have more unique experiences. In my time at university, I have enjoyed running two marathons, travelling in Southeast Asia and exploring more of the UK. I am so inspired by the team at Choose A Challenge and am excited to embark on a new journey to encourage more students like myself to take on a challenge!
Katja Millichamp, Operations Manager
Katja has more than 10 years experience working in the Event and Travel Industry, has a Masters in Tourism and has travelled extensively including living in 4 countries.
As our Operations Manager, she ensures everything runs smoothly so our participants can focus on the challenge ahead.
She is unlikely to be the first to the summit (especially with her toddler in tow), but loves adventure travel of all sorts and believes you can always push yourself far beyond what you thought possible.
Rosie Palmer, Campus Account Manager
Rosie’s love for the outdoors began with a childhood spent hiking and camping around her home in the Yorkshire Dales. After leaving school, she travelled to India to qualify as a yoga teacher, sparking a new appreciation for immersive travel and adventure. Since then, she has spent as much time as possible travelling and getting outdoors, from trekking Mount Toubkal with Choose a Challenge to leading outdoor pursuits in Corfu and climbing in her spare time at university.
Lily Young, Campus Account Manager
Lily is passionate about all things travel and adventure. From backpacking through Central America and hiking Volcano Acatenango, to spending a year living in Spain, she loves stepping outside of her comfort zone and exploring new cultures. Her adventure bucket list is ever-growing and she can’t wait to help others take on a challenge of their own and set off on the adventure of a lifetime!
OUR FAMILY
A community of like-minded people, driven by passion for charity and adventure. Our staff and participants follow in the footsteps of that original founding tradition, bringing charity and adventure together to change lives. When you sign up to a challenge, you open up a world of opportunities with Choose a Challenge - from challenge leading, to interning in one of our destinations, to becoming a member of crew.
Our 2026 Challenge Leaders
OUR STUDENT 2025 CHALLENGE LEADERS
