CCC Representatives
Don't just take our word for it! Below is a list of former CCC Volunteers you can contact:
...in the UK
Past International Volunteers
You can now contact some of our past volunteers from Europe, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Contact them and learn more about participating on a CCC expedition...More
- Tom Dolling, Ambassador Southwest of England
- Owen Thomas, Assistant Southwest of England
- Ian Fraser, Ambassador South of England
- Edward Revell, Assistant Southeast of England
- Yee Chow, Ambassador London
- Lisa James, Ambassador for London
- Diane Turner, Ambassador East of England
- Jake Turner, Assistant East of England
- Chris Richards, Assistant Midlands
- Peter Shepherdson, Ambassador North of England
- James Wood, Assistant North of England
- Bethan O'Leary, Assistant Northeast of England
- Douglas Robertson, Assistant for Scotland
- Jo Loman, Ambassador for Wales
Name: Tom Dolling
Volunteer: Marine project Raviniake, Fiji summer 2004
Location: Ambassador Southwest of England
Contact Details: southwest.ambass@coralcay.org
Personal Highlights:
I have so many highlights from the expedition; it's hard to know where to begin.
The main highlight is being able to make a real difference to the lives of so many people by protecting their endangered reefs.
You feel like the work you do each day is really helping and contributing to the overall goal of the organisation. Daily life on
expedition is exciting, relaxing and fun all at the same time. It combines adventure through diving twice a day, education through
the data collection and any spare time is spent socialising with friends, relaxing on the beach or throwing a rugby ball around or
if your really feeling adventurous maybe reading a book in the hammock. The friends you meet on expedition become friends for life.
3 or 4 of the people I met on expedition are still some of my best friends. We are already planning to go on expedition again next
summer to Tobago, as a group, I am sure it will be as exciting an adventure as last time.
Changed outlook on life:
Since returning from expedition I have become heavily involved in Coral Cay
Conservation. I am lucky enough to have become the Ambassador for the South West of England, which is a great way to educate
others on the way they are able to help and become more involved with the organisation.
Other comments:
Feel free to contact me if you would like any information or advice about going on an
expedition, we can arrange a discussion over a beer. I'm based in Bath primarily, but I am frequently in Exeter, Cardiff and
London. The experience of going on expedition has to be experienced to be believed. Every day is awesome, you are surrounded by
fantastic people in an unbelievably beautiful location working hard for a worthy cause. It's got to be done!-Hopefully chat soon.
Name: Owen Thomas
Volunteer: Marine project Raviniake, Fiji autumn 2004
Location: Assistant Southwest of England
Contact Details: southwest.rep@coralcay.org
Personal Highlights:
Coral Cay team banter - the enthusiasm and good nature of CCC vols
The delights of Fiji - Truly friendly natives. Some of the best dives I have ever had - diving with more sharks than you can
count is always a bonus! The knowledge that you are diving and having fun with a purpose and a genuine end result to benefit
coral reef preservation.
Changed outlook on life:
I now work in a variety different not-for-profit organisations, doing work
that I would never have really considered but is very enjoyable.
Name: Ian Fraser
Volunteer: Marine Project, Southern Leyte, Philippines, Spring 2007
Location: Ambassador South of England
Contact Details: south.ambass@coralcay.org
Personal Highlights:
I know you're supposed to embark on projects like this with an open mind but
I set out with a pretty tight agenda. I had a 'tick-list' of things I wanted to do, to see and to learn. Well, the boxes
all got ticked, but the achievements I'm most proud of and the experiences I recall most clearly could not have been planned
for or predicted. The whole expedition exceeded my most optimistic expectations. The diving is unbelievable, the challenges
surprising and the social scene well laid-back. My personal favourites must include the first jaw-dropping drift along the
home reef, free-diving with whale sharks, and surfacing from surveys to 'that' idyllic beach. I went out to the Philippines
to have a rewarding time but I was still amazed and surprised by the memories and skills I've acquired.
Changed outlook on life:
It would be sad if such a great experience abruptly stopped the moment I
left the expedition site. I've decided to continue learning more about reef ecology, to continue to conduct marine surveys
in my local area and to endeavour to dive tropical waters as often as I can afford.
Other comments:
If you are considering CCC expeditions, you probably have a number of questions and
concerns; this is understandable - I think we all did. I'd be more than happy to help you address these issues because I'd
love for you enjoy some of the great experiences these expeditions offer. Do email me.
Name: Edward Revell
Volunteer: Marine project Malaysia summer 2004
Location: Assistant Southeast of England
Contact Details: southeast.rep@coralcay.org
Personal Highlights:
I went on an expedition in order to learn more about coral reefs -
I had been diving for a couple of years before I went but did not know a lot about what I was looking at, my
expedition taught me a lot about life on coral reefs and the threats they are under. The highlights of the
expedition for me were the friendliness of the staff and vols on site.
Changed outlook on life:
As a result of going my expedition I am able to get more
out of SCUBA diving, which makes it a lot more interesting. It also gives me a broader outlook on life.
Name: Yee Chow
Volunteer: Forest project Negros, Philippines 2003 + Marine project Roátan, Honduras 2004
Location: Ambassador London
Contact Details: london.ambass@coralcay.org
Personal Highlights:
Trekking through the dense, mountainous tropical forest, catching birds, bats and
small mammals and lying in pitch black darkness surrounded by beautiful forest sounds, are some of the fondest memories I have
of the forest expedition in Philippines. You really get to experience and appreciate the amazing wildlife first hand and begin
to understand the importance of preserving these environments, not just for the plants and animals, but also the local
communities dependent on these environment for their livelihoods.
I had such a rewarding time in Philippines that I decided to return with Coral Cay on a marine expedition in Honduras the
following year. The diving was just stunning and learning about the underwater ecosystems along with the fish, corals and
invertebrates just made the diving all the better!
I think the best thing about going on expeditions with Coral Cay is getting a chance to go to some incredible and remote places
which you would never be able to experience otherwise and at the same time learning new skills and knowledge, have a great time,
while making a positive contribution to preserving these fragile environment.
Changed outlook on life:
Being with Coral Cay has really developed and strengthened my interest and passion for the environment. Since returning
from the expeditions I decided to further my studies and have since completed an MSc in environmental policy and am currently
pursuing a PhD researching into climate change. I remain closely involved with Coral Cay and hope to embark on another expedition
in the near future. :)
Other comments:
Please feel free to contact me if you would like to find out more about expeditions with
Coral Cay. I also have quite a collection of photos from the expeditions and will be more than happy to show them to you. Some of
the photos can be found from the following web pages if you are interested. Philippines forest: http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/328060
and Honduras marine: http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/913932
Name: Lisa James
Volunteer: Marine project Southern Leyte, Philippines spring 2007
Location: Ambassador for London
Contact Details: london.rep@coralcay.org
Personal Highlights:
Being welcomed into a local community like never before by some of the friendliest people I have ever met!
Working with local families and schools on even simple tasks like beach clean ups were some of the most rewarding aspects of the project.
Not to mention friends for life, incredible reefs, swimming with whale sharks, unbeatable sunsets, Tata's spring rolls, amazing science, fish of the day, Philippino karaoke, learning, learning,
learning and making a real positive difference to peoples lives through conservation. You can't beat it. .
Changed outlook on life:
The real sense of community that the project gives you makes you realise just what can be achieved
when people get together for a common cause. It's made me even more determined to get others involved in working towards greener lifestyles and
giving something back to the communities in which they live work and travel.
Other comments:
I'm so impressed with the work that Coral Cay do I can't wait to tell you about it! So if you have any questions about expedition life, however big or small do get in touch.
I'm happy to e-mail, phone or chat over a bevvy for an honest and frank overview of what to expect from a CCC project.
Go on. It could quite possibly be the best trip of your life ever.
Name: Diane Turner
Volunteer: Marine projects Cagdanao, Philippines autumn 1999 + Raviniake, Fiji spring 2005
Location: Ambassador East of England
Contact Details: di@coralcay.org
Personal Highlights:
So many to name! Watching sunrises and sunsets over the sea or the lightning flashing
in the clouds as they sail by at night. Cobbling together a costume - borrowing bits of clothing, using cardboard, foil, string and
whatever else we could find for the themed Saturday night parties. Speeding along in the boat after a survey with the spray flying
over, wearing a mask and singing the Bohemian Rhapsody at the tops of our voices. Meeting the locals at the expeditions sites and
realising how much enthusiasm they have for the projects and how happy they are that we're there doing the work we're doing, wanting
to learn from us! Learning so much about the culture, the country, the community from a direction one never would as a tourist.
Meeting expedition members from lots of different backgrounds and countries who all have something in common - a commitment to the
work CCC achieves, making very good friends with them, with many of whom I'm still in contact.
Changed outlook on life:
I've always been into conservation and was lucky enough to start surveying when I
was about 10! Going on CCC expeditions gave me the chance to travel to other countries and learn more about the problems there, which
I had read about for many years. They've made me even more committed to conservation and I've been fortunate enough to have more time
to support CCC and the work they do even more in the past year by becoming an ambassador.
Other comments:
Please contact me if you would like a chat about participating on a CCC expedition or have any
questions - talking about CCC expeditions is very much one of my favourite subjects! I live just outside of Cambridge, but spend a couple
of days a week in Milton Keynes and am more than happy to meet-up for an informal chat or give a presentation to a group of you!
Name: Jake Turner
Volunteer: Fiji Expedition Spring 2005
Location: Assistant East of England
Contact Details: jake@anthias.co.uk
Personal Highlights:
The very fact of living on a desert island in one of the most beautiful
places in the world was a highlight in itself. The ability to dive daily on beautiful undived reefs was a fantastic
bonus! But it's the people that make a CCC expedition what it is - living amongst other people who want to do something
to help preserve coral reefs for future generations, but who can also conjure a fancy dress costume from whatever you can
scrounge from around the site - you'd be amazed at the results!
Changed outlook on life:
After my expedition to Fiji I'm more determined to do what I can to
help protect coral reefs, hence my continued involvement in CCC. In addition, my diving has vastly improved - there's
nothing like regular diving over several weeks to make things second nature, plus I now know what I'm looking at and have
a greater appreciation of marine life.
Other comments:
Go for it - you wont regret it and you'll probably get hooked!
Name: Chris Richards
Volunteer: Philippines Forest Project, Negros, autumn 2004
Location: Assistant of Midlands
Contact Details: midlands.rep@coralcay.org
Personal Highlights:
Living in a hammock in the jungle with all the amazing noises surrounding you.
Blundering into ditches in the dark when my head torch batteries gave up. Trying to keep up with the pace of the guides.
Feeling part of the local community at base camp...and getting taught how to look after yourself from local kids and doing
the ocha ocha dance with them! Seeing fields with hundreds of cockerels in them. Realising that you're doing something
important when we caught a bat that had only ever been caught five times before. Learning all the different survey techniques.
In fact there's far too many highlights to list. I could go on all day!
Changed outlook on life:
I've always wanted to go back to the jungle ever since I did the CCC
expedition so as my university dissertation I'm going back to the same forest in Negros with a team from uni with CCC's
support. Seeing how Coral Cay work with the local community and NGOs opened my eyes to how conservation, when carried out
properly, really does work. I may well do something conservation based after my degree. Thanks Coral Cay!
Other comments:
Please e-mail me with any queries, worries or questions before you decide to go
on your trip- whether it's what breakfast is to how hard the walking is to are there lots of snakes (for peace of mind,the
answer to the last one is no!)
Name: Peter Shepherdson
Volunteer: Marine project Honduras 2001 + Marine project Philippines autumn 2005
Location: Ambassador North of England
Contact Details: north.ambass@coralcay.org
Personal Highlights:
Realising that you are never too old to totally change what you do with
your time. Opening your eyes each morning to find you really are living on a magnificent tropical island beach. Diving
the warm crystal clear waters each day and being taught to really understand and appreciate all you see. Meeting and
getting to know fascinating local people. Enjoying a beer and fabulous sunset with a great bunch of guys and gals after
a truly worthwhile day.
Changed outlook on life:
My first Coral Cay expedition gave me the confidence to visit far
away places and enjoy hundreds of memorable experiences. I've met lots of fascinating people. Trekked in Peru, Borneo
and China, staying in bamboo houses with pigs and chickens running underneath. I've dived in South Africa, Thailand,
Indonesia, Borneo and the Philippines.
Other comments:
Just do it! The culture shock is great! Start by attending a presentation if
you can. Email me your questions or ring for a chat any evening between 7pm and 9pm on 01924 332759. I'm a volunteer
who really believes in what CCC is achieving and I'll happily give you straight answers and all the tips I can.
Name: James Wood
Volunteer: Ravinianke Summer 2005
Location: Assistant North of England
Contact Details: north.rep@coralcay.org
Personal Highlights:
Waking up in a morning, looking out over tropical Fijian blue waters from my bunk,
then sitting on white sands with palm trees eating breakfast. Diving on undiscovered coral reefs and being the first people to
ever see a coral wall or new formation. Snorkelling over plantation site then seeing a four foot black tip and following it
through the reef, then spending endless nights on the beach round a fire drinking the local rum with the guys.
Changed outlook on life:
I have a Fiji moment everyday, just one thing where i laugh to myself that
makes me think of the 'Fiji-Time' way of life. Because of my experiences I signed onto a coastal marine biology degree
specialising in conservation management and fieldwork studies. I love my travelling aswell, im heading to Malawi in the new
year and intend to go on another expedition as soon as i can.
Other comments:
I've come back, volunteer in a independant inshore rescue lifeboat and joined my degree
and really have to thank coral cay. I was a volunteer so you can ask me anything all i'll be is honest about it, so please feel
free to contact me anytime and im happy to chat.
Name: Bethan O'Leary
Volunteer: Marine project Southern Leyte, Philippines, Summer 2006, Marine project Tobago, summer 2007
Location: Assistant Northeast of England
Contact Details: northeast.rep@coralcay.org
Personal Highlights:
I've now been on two of CCC's expeditions. The first was to the Philippines which I went to in 2006 for 2 months. Here I worked with CCC scientists to complete my undergraduate dissertation assessing the biological impacts to, and the community perception of,
four Marine Protected Areas that CCC had helped designate in 2005. While working on my own project, I also got involved in the day to day life of the expedition where there were so many highlights including community work ranging from teaching children how to be reef rangers and how to look after the reef even once CCC leaves,
to painting a mural in the municipal building. We also got invited to go to loads of the local parties and festivals, with the most memorable being 'Ballroom dancing and disco fever'! Of course the diving was amazing what with being in the Indo-Pacific triangle of biodiversity,
and this was made even better by the extensive training that CCC gave, which definitely made the stress of science week worthwhile!
Tobago was a completely different site to the Philippines from the expedition base to the diving but it was still awesome. The expedition life itself was amazing and as much as you put in you definitely
got out of it, plus there were some wicked Saturday night parties!
Changed outlook on life:
The expedition has also made me more committed to my chosen career path of marine conservation and management, and I have now started a MSc in Marine Environmental Management.
Having done an undergraduate degree in Physical Geography I have been told that my experience with CCC made a significant contribution to my being given a place on the course so not only did I have an amazing time at each,
I also gained valuable experience that has allowed me to go on and explore my interests further.
Other comments:
Please email me and ask me anything you like, whether it's what expedition life is like, to what you should (and shouldn't) pack!
I'm always happy to chat about my time in the Philippines and Tobago, as well as about CCC.
Name: Douglas Robertson
Volunteer: Marine project St Helena, Roátan, Honduras winter 2005
Location: Ambassador for Scotland
Contact Details: scotland.rep@coralcay.org
Personal Highlights:
The diving was beautiful of course, and we were the only people
there (diving). I really enjoyed helping new arrivals learn their fish, coral, etc. identification and guiding
them on dives. This made me realize how much I enjoyed teaching other people in diving as well as conserving
the reef. I particularly enjoyed the weekend parties on expedition, normally in fancy dress, so much so that
I now run a university society that organises fancy dress parties. Other things that I learnt on expedition
were how to cook a meal from almost anything, and how to keep yourself occupied, such as making coconut rings.
I am still in touch with all the friends I made in Honduras and we have reunion parties from time to time, its
also nice when you meet someone from another expedition as you can chat merrily about your experiences for quite
some time.
Changed outlook on life:
I am now a scuba instructor, and have participated in other
reef conservation programs.
Name: Jo Loman
Volunteer: Marine Project, St. Helene, Honduras Summer 2005
Location: Ambassador for Wales
Contact Details: wales.ambass@coralcay.org
Personal Highlights:
Educationally: Learning so much about the marine life forms, at a speed
that will scare you, but honestly it's completely achievable and you'll be training the new guys
before you know it! I've had a glimpse into the weird world of the invertebrates and now I'm fascinated.
Who'd have thought "that stuff" on the reef was living let alone know its name.
Personally: Finally seeing the creatures at the top of my wish list; a seahorse just off the pier, so I spent 20 minutes snorkelling in the grass with him; and a squat anenome shrimp - very like buses these wee critters, you can wait a whole project to see one and then find four in the same dive, amazing.
Socially: Chilling out round camp and just talking to people; staff, volunteers and locals, everyone has a different story. Saturday night fancy dress parties, any excuse for the guys to dress as girls! Being a part of a community that travellers don't have access to and participating in their lives through festivals, sport, parties and education. It's fantastic.
Changed outlook on life:
As a career breaker, for me it was rekindling my
passion for diving and the marine environment. So much so, that I've left the business world and am
now studying marine biology over at Swansea. It's completely changed my plans for the future and
enabled me to appreciate the simpler things in life. It's amazing how little you miss the trappings
of our technology driven world and how therapeutic and relaxing it is to actually be able to see the
stars and listen to the waves in the evenings. I don't know what I'm going to do next but Coral Cay
Conservation helped me to see the possibilities. I'm now a student, a diving professional, volunteering
at a local level and still persevering with my Spanish. It's never too late to make a change or
a difference.
Other comments:
Like I say, I'm based in Swansea during term time but do
get out and about quite a lot. Outside of term I could be anywhere as I'm always looking for new
opportunities and experiences. So, if you're thinking about becoming a volunteer, (and everybody
should!) I'm always happy to chat about my time with Coral Cay. Go on, you don't know what might
happen next!!
