NORTH WOOTTON: High profile jobseeker walks into a new role
Former cross country skier Mark Richardson is launching his own business leading Nordic walking groups after being made redundant from Millets.
Graduate Mark Richardson’s job search attracted international media attention but neither that nor around 500 job applications have gained him employment.
He said: “Within a few weeks of having all the articles in the media I’d had no responses and thought if that amount of coverage stimulates no offers to even come to talk about a job I would have to create my own work.”
Mr Richardson, 50, of Leonard Close, Gaywood, has now trained as a Nordic Walking instructor and plans to run classes from the middle of next month.
Mr Richardson’s job search gained attention when he had a T-shirt printed with the words “seeking employment - intelligent, diligent, dynamic” and his telephone number.
He cycled 400 miles a week whilst wearing it after losing his job as a supervisor at Millets last March, alongside keeping up his hunt for work through more traditional means.
Towards the end of last year, Mr Richardson’s novel job hunting method caught the attention of national newspapers here and abroad. The story was covered as far afield at Ghana and Australia.
Mr Richardson, a scout leader in North Wootton, has a degree in applied biology and many years of lab work experience. He has also worked abroad as an English language teacher and became fluent in French after seven years there.
Additionally, he was British Champion in 1988 in cross country skiing and appears in the 1989 Guinness World Records for roller skiing from Chamonix, France, to Kent in 1987.
During an interview with an Australian news programme, the interviewer commented “surely there must be a job out there for an ex-champion cross country skier” and it prompted Mr Richardson’s business idea.
Nordic Walking is a specific style of walking using poles and has its roots in cross country skiing.
Lynn-based firm SealSkinz has supported Mr Richardson by donating some outdoor clothing.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Saturday 25 May 2013
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