Trustees

Where we are: 

• Lynne McCutcheon:   Loupia, France.
• Paul & Helen Crook:  Frampton Cotterell, Nr Bristol.
• Andrew Small:  Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.
• Colin Culley:  Lockton, North Yorkshire.
• Charles Barton:  Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

write or email New Futures Nepal

Lynne McCutcheon - Chair
I became involved in fund raising following a trekking holiday in Nepal in April 2000. My inspiration was our trekking guide Ram Thapa who was struggling to support over 20 disabled and orphaned children in Kathmandu. With my husband, family and friends I started raising money and in 2002 joined forces with a YHA group to sponsor projects in Nepal and form the charity as it is today.

My personal background is that of management and administration for both the accounting and legal professions. I currently work part-time in the legal profession in a clerical and secretarial capacity. I have a special interest and expertise in cases relating to children.

I love walking, reading and travel and spend several months each year living in France.

I am passionate about our charity's work in Nepal and urge you to help and support us in any way you can.

Paul Crook - Treasurer
I am the Treasurer and a Founder Trustee of the New Futures Nepal. I first became involved following a charity trek to Nepal through the YHA in February 2002. During this trek I became aware of the difficulties facing the people of Nepal and of the potential difference that could be made to the lives of some of the disadvantaged children and adults we met. Upon our return to the UK, my wife, Helen, (who is also involved in the charities work) and I met with other like minded people and New Futures Nepal was formed. Since 2002, my family and I have returned to Nepal several times, to see at first hand how our work is making a difference.

When not working for New Futures Nepal, trekking in Nepal or walking in the mountains and hills of the UK, I enjoy spending time with my family and watching Rugby Union, (especially Bath Rugby Club). As a challenge I ran the London Marathon, for the charity, finishing the same day and before the diver!!!! My picture shows me as a probationary porter in the mountains of Nepal; however I have been advised not to give up the day job as a bank manager with a leading private bank!

Andrew Small - Secretary
My day job is as a Project Director of a large IT company, which is based in the US. My commitment to New Futures Nepal makes use of all of the skills and talents that I have developed during my career but the big difference is that here I'm helping people to live and be happy rather than helping organisations be more efficient and profitable.

I was part of the same trek as Charles, Hazel, Paul and Sandra and was touched by the generosity and compassion of our trek leader, Ram Thapa. Ram continues to devote much of his life to looking after the welfare of the Hope Centre children and through our discussions at the time about the changing political climate in Nepal soon came to realise that without support from overseas the children of the Hope Centre would soon face the prospect of returning to hardships that, as a European, I could hardly believe or imagine.

At the time I didn't know what difference one voice would make but soon realised that there were other 'one voices' that were also wanting to make a difference. The rest is history, as they say.

My privilege today, as a founding trustee, is to use my time, skills and energy to help support local projects, such as the Smith Project. Each project has a different dimension, but each project is absolutely focused on providing the kind of environment that each of us would want for our own family. Your help is vital, what can you contribute?

Helen Crook - Trustee
I first visited Nepal in 2002 on a charity trek in aid of the YHA and was struck by the country's beauty and the generosity of its people in face of poverty. Inspired by the work of our trekking guide I wanted to give something back and relieve the hardship faced by many children and adults of Nepal.

I was delighted to become a trustee of New Futures Nepal in February 2006, as I have supported the charity since its formation, through fund raising, general administrative duties and co-ordinating the sponsor a child scheme. This has involved taking on many new challenges, including running the London marathon and learning to speak Nepali. Both of which have proved enormously rewarding. I have returned to Nepal numerous times with my family and have a growing knowledge of the country and its culture.

As an experienced registered and paediatric nurse, with a specialist paediatric community qualification I have a strong interest in child health and welfare, and hope to continue to use my knowledge and skills to the benefit of the charity and the children and adults supported through our projects.

I have two teenage sons and enjoy spending time with my family. I'm a keen walker, cyclist and distance runner and can often be found running in the Cotswold hills near our home.

I'm looking forward to the challenges that lie a head in my work as a trustee for New Futures Nepal.

Charles Barton
I am another Founder Trustee of New Futures Nepal. I also became involved following a charity trek to Nepal in February 2002. The charity trek was for 10 days and I felt this would not give me time to get to meet the people and sample their culture. I decided to spend another three weeks in Nepal. I learnt about Ram Thapa our now Regional Director and contacted him for advice and at the same time got to know about the children and their carers. I took a case of items for the home, the least I could do in exchange for his help on my solo travels in Nepal. Having (in a small way) been involved in voluntary work in the UK, I could not help comparing and being moved at the lack of support and basic needs that the Hope Centre survived on in giving the children a home. Seeing it through the media and being part of it bears no comparison. My life has moved from Hotelier to Postman via; marrying Anne my wife (who is also involved in the charity), being blessed with a daughter and son, becoming a mature University student, management, various voluntary work and becoming a Granddad. My passions are good food (a left over from my restaurant days), live music (particularly jazz), theatre, Rugby Union. My dream would be to travel very much like I did in Nepal or to work as a volunteer to experience, taste absorb people and their cultures around the world. (Before the world becomes all the same.)

Colin Culley
I travelled to Nepal in 2002 to complete a trek for the YHA. It had always been a dream to walk in the Himalayas and, like so many before me, I fell in love with the country and its people. I was seriously humbled by the positive attitude, generosity and kindness of the Nepalese people and disturbed by the poverty and the living conditions that so many of them had to tolerate. The suffering of the many orphaned children was particularly upsetting and I resolved to do something to help. It gives me great pleasure to be a trustee for New Futures Nepal and it is a privilege to be able to work with colleagues who share the same passion for Nepal and who are, through their tireless efforts, ‘changing lives’ for Nepalese people.