Ray of Sun Adventures was born from my love of the outdoors and deep desire to explore. As a child I was always "outdoorsy" despite growing up in inner city London, I was often out on adventures and travelling with world with my mama and when I was at home I played out till the street lights came on. I spent my summers with family in the Basque Country, out on my bike until gone midnight playing with my friends from the barrio. When I was a teenager I did my Duke of Edinburgh award and absolutely loved it. Well apart from when my group got chased by a herd of cows- (picture us, huge backpacks bouncing as we ran for our lives! Thank goodness for the Farmer who came out to save us!). 

 

During the pandemic, as a frontline key worker, I experienced the most crippling anxiety. I had panic attacks,  nightmares and thoughts about wanting to end it all. The only thing I found that helped was walking so I set off to hike as many Shropshire Hills as I could alongside my young son and husky Ghost. Then one blue sky day at the start of September 2020 I hiked Yr Wydffa (Snowdon), my very first mountain. It was challenging, exhausting—and absolutely transformative. That summit sparked something in me that has only grown the more summits i've bagged. I decided I wanted to hike more mountains, but I had no-one to go with and no idea how to do it alone safely! After doing a mountain skills course I discovered the Mountain Leader qualification and realised I could become someone who not only hikes but also leads others on these adventures. The rest, as they say, is history!

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I now want to help fuel you to get out on your own adventures, be that because you've been inspired by a blog i've written or because you've joined me on a group hike or trip. Ray of Sun Adventures events are fully inclusive and open to all. I’m proud to support people of all backgrounds to access the outdoors, including those facing mental health challenges. I hold a Mental Health First Aid certification to help anyone who may need it during my events. 

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Why is it called Ray Of Sun Adventures?

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​Growing up my nickname was always Jay or Ray (I'm Jani to my close friends and family), because people struggle to say my name Janire (pronounced Jan-Ear-Ray). I've been called January, Jamiroquai, Janine, Janice... pretty much anything beginning with a 'J'!!

 

When I first joined Instagram and had to think of a name, I wanted to go with something related to my name. My friends and family have often referred to me as a "ray of sunshine" so I figured that could work. When I created my public page, Ray of Sun Adventures felt like a natural fit, capturing the positivity and warmth I want to share through my adventures... and it's seemed to stick.