Operation Raleigh: The start of an adventure

I was fortunate enough to be part of the formative months of Operation Raleigh from September 1984 to May 1985 and this book recounts part of that overall experience. Initially, Operation Raleigh was to have been a four year round-the-world series of expeditions, medical, scientific and local-help projects aimed at bringing the youth of different nations together in a working environment so that we might all (staff included!) learn something about different cultures. Eventually the project lasted for some 8 years or so. Some of the projects involved scuba diving where I was involved as Chief Diver. During one 3 month period alone, approx. 100 divers completed over 5,000 man-dives - and all without accident or incident. Elsewhere, those same youngsters were assisting doctors performing cataract operations or rebuilding a new school house or providing some local youngsters with a basketball court. Everything achieved was under the direct control and supervision of Colonel John Blashford-Snell, one of the UK's most seasoned explorers and someone who is an inspirational leader of men. This book is the first part of a trilogy which seeks to explain what was, perhaps, one of the biggest adventures of all time. NM