Local resident Neil Laughton is a former Royal Marines Commando, helicopter pilot, Special Forces officer and business entrepreneur with a lifelong passion for adventure. He has organised and lead more than 50 expeditions, many of which feature in his recent book ‘Adventureholic’. We caught up with Neil recently to find out more about his passion for adventure.
Tell us a bit about your recently published book
The book is my life’s work on paper and in story form. My passion has been sport and adventure around the world and I wanted to share my adventures with others and hopefully inspire them to take up a little adventure in their own lives too. I describe extraordinary adventures by land sea and air so there is something for everyone. Everything is true and I describe the events that didn’t go so well as well as the ones that did!
Adventure seems like it’s been a part of your life for a long time – is that nature or nurture?
It’s absolutely about nurture – anyone can take on more adventure in their lives. With the record-breaking dinner party half way up Everest which I describe in the book, I signed up several people who had no relevant previous experience. Obviously we prepared and trained over a few years, practising in the mountains of Scotland, but essentially it was a new experience for some in the group.
What are the benefits are of having some sort of adventure in your life.
I always say there are five key benefits to being more adventurous on whatever scale that is:
1. You develop the life-skills of confidence and self-esteem by doing something adventurous – the magic is taking yourself outside your comfort zone and creating an element of risk.
2. You create lifelong friendships and happiness in your life.
3. You build resilience against change and adversity.
4. Adventure brings and element of excitement and adrenaline into your life.
5. Being adventurous and doing interesting things helps benefit your career as well as your relationships.
What’s best, solo or team adventures?
100% team adventures! I enjoy being with and working with other people too much – its half the fun and often those people become close friends.
Are there any rules with adventure?
Experience is always useful, but in terms of rules there are none! The only limits are those set by your imagination. Start small and don’t take unnecessary risks, but come up with something that’s interesting for you within your skill set. Once you’ve taken the first steps you won’t regret it!
How to instil a love of adventure in those who are not used to it?
Many people, particularly young people, can be distracted by different things these days and adventure doesn’t perhaps come as naturally as it did to previous generations. Try and encourage them to get outside and explore, to feel sun on their face because adventure skills are also really useful for personal health and happiness.
You’ve had many adventures in fantastic locations, what about adventures closer to home?
I love Sussex! I went to school in Sussex, I settled in Sussex and hopefully I will die in Sussex too! There’s plenty of adventure here locally close to home that’s a bit different or daring, whether that be on the land, sea or air. You could cycle on the South Downs Way, paddle round Brighton Pier or even try your hand at paragliding from Devils Dyke!
Tell us about your most recent adventure
That’s the other great thing about adventure, as well as benefiting yourself, it can also benefit others through fundraising. Every single one of my adventures has raised money for charities over the years and I’ve helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years.
I’ve undertaken three missions to the Ukraine in the last 18 months volunteering for the Siobhan’s Trust which provides food (in the form of pizzas) to displaced Ukranians. In September 2023 I joined Paula Reid on her Ukrainian fundraising cycle ride from Odessa to Chernoble on my penny farthing bike (whilst wearing a top hat!), raising not only smiles along the way but also money for the Siobhan’s Trust Charity.
Next year’s adventure will be the second attempt on world’s highest bicycle ride in Nepal, raising funds for a local school. The school (which currently has no windows or electricity), will receive fantastic basic improvements, as well as some technology so that the children will have an improved learning experience. The adventure will also support the Starr Trust which helps young people in Sussex.
Sarah Butler
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