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Having faced cancer twice, Rob and Jo decided to spend more time together pursuing their hobbies. They never believed ordinary people like them could do something like climb the ‘seven summits’ but they tackled it one step at a time. Despite a serious and life threatening event in the Himalaya on their first expedition, they got back on their feet again and continued pursuing their dreams. Their acheivements and their records have been as much of a surprise to them as to anyone else.

The challenge of completing the “Seven Summits” and skiing to both Poles has pushed Rob and Jo beyond their limits of endurance and has encouraged them to stretch beyond their own perceptions of what is possible. In doing so Rob and Jo have experienced the exhilaration of success in achieving seemingly impossible dreams and are passionate about sharing their experiences and observations with others.

Rob and Jo are inspirational characters and their story has tremendous popular appeal. They have condensed a lifetime of marriage into the last 2 years and lived it with an intensity that many people may never know.

You don’t need to be interested in climbing mountains to find their experiences and observations absolutely fascinating.

Rob and Jo are in demand for public speaking engagements in the UK and overseas and Jo’s book about their story - ‘Holding On’, was published in 2006. Their insights into what it takes to achieve your dreams and push yourself beyond your limits are as relevant to the business world as they are to every day life..

If you would like to find out more, or are interested in having Rob and Jo share their experiences with you please contact Rob and Jo or Cunningham Management.

Feedback from some of Rob and Jo’s talks

“Thank you both for delivering an amazingly professional presentation – we were all affected by it. You managed to engage the audience and present an entertaining account of your extraordinary experiences in a way that enabled us to relate to them. We really feel we know what you went through and what it must be like to test yourself beyond the limit.”
– Ian Buckley – Chief Investment Officer, Henderson Global Investors

“Rob and Jo presented an inspirational insight into their expeditions across some of the most severe terrain in the world. The insight although brief, given how much both had achieved in such a short period of time was fantastic.”
– John Nestor – Business Head EMEA, Managing Director, Citigroup Asset Management

“Thank you so very much for your talk. The audience was mesmerized. It was not only the subject but also the quality of the presentation. You should take up public speaking for a career.”
- Robert Thomas - Master of The Worshipful Company of Actuaries

“Thank you seems so inadequate but it really is heartfelt. Your presentation yesterday was so fascinating – and so professionally done – I don’t know if you realise how much you touch people”
– Jenny McInerney - President of the Australian Women’s Club, London

“Thank you so much for making the reason we all fundraise come so alive for our supporters. The feedback received has been amazing. They all really loved hearing about your climbing challenge and all the conditions that you faced. And to do all that having recovered twice from cancer, can only give real hope to others. The human spirit is truly amazing and no better exemplified I think than in all you have both achieved.”
– Elizabeth Melvin - Cancer Research UK Fund raiser, Oxford Region

“Jo is a natural communicator: her talk was inspiring and fascinating. It was also beautifully illustrated by first-class slides. Jo captivated the audience and left them wanting more.”
- Charlotte Hindle - Wanderlust Career Break Theatre Co-ordinator/Travel Journalist

“Thank you both so much for the presentation. Everybody thought it was absolutely amazing. It was extremely obvious why you are in such high demand. All your achievements seemed so understated and yet it was clear that even in our wildest imaginations we could not grasp the enormity of what you have both been through and achieved together.”
- Kath Williams - Doctor, Hammersmith Hospital

“A million thank you's to you for last night. You are both such inspirational individuals and I know so many of the supporters I spoke to last night were really delighted that you shared your story with them. Thank you again.”
- Louise Wadley - Host, Annual London Supporters Conference, CRUK

“It was a delight to hear Jo share the story of her and Rob’s global climbing adventures. I would happily recommend her to anyone looking for a highly engaging speaker with a truly inspirational tale to tell.”
– Wendy Hand – Director, Celebrity Speakers Australia www.celebrityspeakers.com.au

“Our members found your talk enormously enjoyable and inspirational. It's one which will long be remembered and talked about, not only for your exceptional achievements but also the poignant story of love, courage and endurance that underpins them. The insight you provided into the physical and mental challenge you and Rob faced was graphically real. You gave our 2006/2007 series of lunches a brilliant start which will be hard for others to match.”
– Maureen Horne - Secretary, Yew Tree Luncheon Club for Cancer Research UK Harpenden

“From the moment of their dramatic entrance to the very personal talk with the accompanying images and film, all these elements came together to make a heady mixture of utter professionalism and whole presentation edge of the seat excitement. It was inspiring and dramatic.”
– Gray Levett - MIoD, Director, Grays of Westminster and Gillian Greenwood, Features Editor, Nikon Owner magazine

“I want to say a huge thank you for coming and sharing your inspiring story with us. Everyone was gripped with your presentation in words and pictures and I've had so much positive feedback from those who came along. ”
– Ali Preston - Co-ordinator, Women’s Christmas Celebration Evening, Holy Trinity Hazlemere.

“Thank you for your warmth, professionalism and generosity. The feedback from our sell out evening has been fantastic and our audience are still talking about your presentation. Your professional, heartfelt and humorous delivery reached out to our audience and kept them spellbound throughout.”
- Fiona Hilton - Fundraising event for Teenage Cancer Trust.

“The guests enjoyed Jo’s talk so much (at the Chatsworth House Literary Dinner on Saturday night) that some came to the bookshop to see Jo again the next day when she was giving an illustrated talk along with her husband, Rob. Rob and Jo are such a wonderful friendly couple and their exciting stories of plucky deeds and adventures in sub zero temperatures kept the audience enthralled. I know that the Adventure Education students who had travelled from Portsmouth to see them (and other outdoor writers) were particularly grateful to Rob and Jo for all the time and inspiration that they gave to the”
- Geraldine Rose - Director, Countrybookshop Peak Literary Festival, 2006

“Where do I start? Your presentation was brilliant, informative, entertaining and inspirational! The very personal nature of your travelogue talk enabled all of us who will never, ever visit these extreme environments to share with you in your adventures. The photographs were absolutely stunning and contributed effectively to the overall experience. The few children who were also in attendance were as rapt as their parents during your talk. As an educator, I would recommend your presentation most highly to school groups. Thank you, once again, for your generous contribution to our school's capital campaign to replace our playground equipment.”
– David Langmuir Ph.D. – Principal, School District 45 – Canada

“Some women thought it was the best day yet - and were obviously absolutely inspired by you! - and you probably know that the bookshop completely sold out of your book on the day! - even the one that we had held up for the review was snapped up at the end of the day as I took it back! I think they liked your talk!!”
– Anne Coles – New Wine Women’s Conference Director

”Jo was an excellent speaker. The photographs were amazing! I really did have students talking about how that was the best assembly they've ever had!! (Teacher) Thank you again for the presentation you did at last week. Our students really enjoyed your images and stories. It was very inspirational! Thanks again.”
– Dave Waddington – Principal – Arran Tara Elementary School - Canada

“Well, we're just finished another lunch here (at the bookstore) and folks are still raving about your presentation. You have done great things, and your presentation about them has inspired many locals who saw the presentation!”
– Mary Ann Thomas – Ginger Press Bookstore Owner – Canada

“An awesome and inspirational true story that I could listen to dozens of times. This is one of the best I have seen and heard, and as a fellow speaker it was truly an 11 out of 10 talk....It will make you laugh and cry! Two big thumbs up!”
– Karl Hartley - Managing Director of Dream Team Coaching - http://www.dreamteamcoaching.co.uk/ (Oswestry school)

“Rob and Jo’s Gambi's talk was both excellent and inspiring. It dealt honestly with confronting very difficult situations, and how setting clear goals allied with determination, teamwork and a passion to succeed can make all the difference. The conference delegates were able to take these messages and see the relevance for them.”
– Philip Hewetson - Finance Conference organiser ( AstraZeneca)

“A huge thank you for your involvement and talk at the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards presentation at Windsor Castle. I know your presence on the day made it special for all the young people and their guests.”

– Anne Newcombe – Duke of Edinburgh Award Director, East

“I would like to express our thanks and appreciation for the time you gave us for our Celebration Assemblies. Your contributions made sure that they were a great success. The general feeling was that we will have an impossible job to maintain the quality next year! The story of your amazing travel experiences is awe inspiring and you added significantly to the impact of your story by skilfully bringing in several very relevant and pertinent links to our students’ own lives.”

– Steve Box – Headmaster, Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School, Bucks

“Jo’s lectures were excellent. Her presentation was very clear and professional. An incredible story told with honesty, humour and sincerity.”

– Paul Stockdale – Headmaster, Oswestry School

“A great big thank you to our favourite world-conqueror. Your talk was completely excellent with a beautiful mix of adventure, down-to-earth set-backs and high-in-the-sky successes, faith in motion and life-lessons along the way, complete with all the visuals and special howling wind sound effects (the room will never seem the same again).”

– Chris Hall – Alpha supper co-ordinator, CCE, Edinburgh.

“Jo’s ability to connect her tremendous achievements to the lives of everyone in the room was really motivating. I have no hesitation in recommending Jo as a speaker at future events.”

– Tom Russell – Director of Strategic Resourcing & Reward, Cancer Research UK Long Service Awards 2007

“Jo Joined us recently in Oxford to share with our students her extraordinary experiences. The warmth and humour with which she shared, coupled with an ability to really connect with her audience was quite remarkable. ”

– Ceri Rees – College Manager, King;’s Bible College & Training Centre