Trustees

Where we are: 

• Lynne McCutcheon:   Loupia, France.
• Paul & Helen Crook:  Frampton Cotterell, Nr Bristol.
• Andrew Small:  Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.
• Tracey Burge: Brandon, Suffolk.
• Angela Bowen:
• Charles Barton:  Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

write or email New Futures Nepal

Lynne McCutcheon - Chair
 
I became involved in fund raising for Nepal following a trekking holiday in April 2000. I was fortunate to be part of a group whose trekking guide was involved in social welfare work in Kathmandu.  Through our guide we met and talked to local people and were deeply touched by their kindness, generosity and zest for life.  By contrast, we saw people living in abject poverty and deprivation and scores of disabled children and adults living on the streets. We returned to the UK after a life affirming trip determined to try to help in a practical way.  Our group of family and friends started raising money and in 2002  joined forces with other like-minded trekkers who had also been moved to raise funds and provide aid.  Together we pledged to provide financial support to the needy and disadvantaged of Nepal and we formed the charity as it is today.

My personal background is that of management and administration for both the accounting and legal professions.  I enjoy walking, cooking, reading and travelling.   I am now retired and living in France.

I am passionate about our charity's work in Nepal and the children, adults and projects we support.  I 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 an IT Services Programme Manager and my commitment to New Futures Nepal makes use of all of the skills and talents that I have developed during my career. The big difference here though is that 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 Helen, Tracey, Charles and Paul and was touched by the generosity and compassion of our Nepalese trek leader, who introduced us to Tilak and the Hope Centre orphanage in Kathmandu. We soon came to realise that because of the changing political climate in Nepal and without support from overseas the children of the Hope Centre might 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, as they say, is history.

My privilege today, as one of the founding trustee, is to use my time, skills and energy to help support our projects. 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.

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.

Tracey Burge:

In 2002 after a charity trek in Nepal to fundraise for the YHA I visited some of the children who now live in the Hope Centre. This contact with the children, and the adults who cared for them, ensured that, since its inception, I have been a committed supporter of New Futures Nepal.

I am a qualified physiotherapist and currently work as a senior lecturer in an English university. I have worked as a physiotherapist both in the UK and abroad, with experience treating disabled children and adults in Romania, Africa and Bangladesh. This experience has enabled me to devise the physiotherapy treatment needed for many of the children at the Hope Centre and to teach the Nepalese staff how to carry out this treatment.

In 2010 I was involved in the British Medical Association sponsored health project undertaken with Helen Crook to teach hand hygiene and first aid techniques to the children and carers, in both the Hope Centre and Hornbeam house. I have also assisted New Futures Nepal to organise two highly successful fundraising treks in 2008 and 2011 which, due to the enthusiasm of all the trekkers involved, raised funds for New Futures Nepal to use in its projects to improve the life of orphaned and disabled Nepalese people
 

Therefore, in 2011, I am really excited to become a trustee of New Futures Nepal and thus increase my ability to assist in the work of such a vibrant and worthwhile charity.
 

Angie Bowen

I am a lawyer by training and for many years worked as a litigator. For the last 12 years I have worked as a Tribunal Judge for the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal, and more recently for the Social Security Tribunal.  Over that time I have developed a deep understanding of the ways in which disability and poverty affect the lives of children and adults. 

I became a Trustee in August 2011.  From the start I have been an enthusiastic supporter and fundraiser for New Futures Nepal and now look forward to increasing my involvement by joining its hugely committed board of Trustees in working to improve the quality of life of the young people supported in our existing projects, and finding other ways in which we might reach out to the Nepalese people.  Seeing at first hand the  impact of NFN’s work on the lives on the young people we have supported so far has been inspiring.

When I’m not at work I love to spend time with my 3 teenage boys.  I enjoy reading, music, travelling, the outdoors, and a game of golf when I get the chance.
 

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 four  weeks in Nepal.
My contact with the original 12 children living in a derelict house in Kathmandu at the time was fortuitous. I could not help comparing and being moved at the lack of support and basic needs that the children 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 (an ardent suppprter) 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.  Like my personal life it has often been the unplanned and unexpected that has focused my life and Nepal has been one of those turning points. It is the personal contact and knowing the children that has driven me along with my fellow trustees, to do everything I can for the children to have a spring board for the future.