Age: 51

Hometown: Wales, United Kingdom

Occupation: Wilderness Skills Educator

Andrew’s interest in survival and ancestral skills began in childhood, when his grandfather introduced him to foraging for seaweed, mussels and blackberries on the seashore and hedgerows near his home. He was also introduced to kayak fishing for Bass and Mackerel by his father, around the coast of the Gower Peninsula.

At 15, Andrew joined the Air Training Corps, where he would learn rifle marksmanship and outdoor skills, including navigation and camp craft. After leaving school, Andrew won a coveted place on a Raleigh International expedition to Borneo and Peninsula Malaysia. It was during this expedition that he spent time living with the Orang Asli people of the Cameron Highlands, an experience that would inspire his interest in indigenous skills and traditional crafts.

Andrew earned a BA honors degree in Media arts from the University of Plymouth, which would lead him to pursue a career in television in London. During this time, he worked for the BBC and several other production companies, but never felt at home in the big city.

After leaving London, he embarked on a period of travel for the next 10 years. He spent time in Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, Canada, the USA, and Scandinavia, and used this experience to further hone his knowledge of wilderness skills and indigenous living.

He returned to the UK in 2003 and made the decision to found his own wilderness survival and Bushcraft school in 2004. Dryad Bushcraft was established to offer the highest standard of authentic Bushcraft and survival training.

In recent years, Andrew has focused much of his work on the delivery of nature therapy and social prescribing based interventions for adults and children suffering from depression and anxiety. He is recognized for his work as a global ambassador for Bushcraft magazine, as well as numerous media appearances, including co-hosting the BAFTA nominated ITV Wales series Coast and Country for seven years.

Andrew lives near the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, with his fiance Julia, daughter Ruby, and a Cockerpoo called Bodhi.

As a family, they enjoy camping trips and walks in the countryside. Ruby has her own archery bow and Bushcraft knife. She’s already an excellent instructor who enjoys teaching Bushcraft skills to other youngsters.

Becoming a participant on Alone is the realization of Andrew’s lifelong dream to test himself and his wilderness skills to the limit. He feels extremely proud to have an opportunity to represent Wales in the survival World Cup of Alone Season 13.