LIFE AND HARD TIMES TALK

On Tuesday 22nd November at Easingwold School in North Yorkshire, Doug Scott, our Patron, gave a talk entitled 'Life & Hard Times' to raise funds for Community Action Nepal and New Futures Nepal.  The 220 people who attended were treated to a rare glimpse into the extraordinary life of this world famous mountaineer.  Doug recounted exploits that made the hair on the back of your neck stand up and left you in awe of his amazing achievments.  His talk was supported by stunning photographs and his lively sense of humour that everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Financially, the evening was also a success raising in excess of £3000, of which £1,762.96 went to New Futures Nepal.  Doug  also made additional profit for CAN from the sale of his autographed photographs and his wide selection of Nepali products. Our thanks to Martyn Harrison or Harrison Developements Ltd, for sponsoring the venue, and to Colin ans Sandra for organising the event.

BACK AT ILAM HALL YHA - 2011 REUNION/WALKING WEEKEND AND AGM  

imagebrowser imageThe imposing Victorian gothic manor house with its 84 acres of country park on the banks of the River Manifold drew us back for this year’s  ‘social together’ on 25th – 27th March 2011.

The 2011 FUNDRAISING CHARITY TREK (see ‘NEWS’ page) had arrived back only weeks before  and yes you’ve guessed, many of the participants turned up, (clearly gluttons for punishment),  to reminisce about the breathlessness, steep climbs, snow, ice, cold and the amazing adventurous experience they had been part of  the month previously.
One or two remembered  the  ‘persistent rain’ from above and the mud below foot on last year’s walk, however this year proved cloudy but pleasant.  So 2011 saw a group of 35 take to the Peak District hills.

The walk took the group out along the River Dove and over the hills past the village of Thorpe. The village is one of the few in the Peak with a name which clearly betrays Norse origins. The village was mentioned in the Domesday Book, with it’s  little church and Norman tower, built about 1100 AD

The silver lining, as with every year is the lingering lunch stop on the outward journey.  This year it was Debbie and Martin at the Okeover Arms, Mapplton who provided us great hospitality and food in their lovely welcoming pub.  With everyone rejuvenated the return journey to Ilam was a steady walk back along the river. Saturday evening was the usual dinner, chats, superbly run  quizzes and a few hands UNO but that’s another story.

The Sunday AGM Introduced by Lynne our chairperson provided a selection of short presentations with over views of our year gone, as well as thoughts for the future.  From trustee Helen, the latest news on the children (the heart and soul of why NFN exists) and also the challenging Health Project Visit by her and Tracey in April 2010 (see ‘what we do’ page) .  Tracey also unveiled the amazing success  the 2011 fundraising trekkers had achieved. along with presenting ‘one or two interesting’ expedition photographs. Sadly, Colin Culley whose fundraising achievements have  included the Castle Howard events, art exhibitions and introducing mountaineer Doug Scott to our charity, to name but a few, hasdecided to step down as  trustee but will remain a close friend and supporter.  But this news was counterbalanced by the announcement that two new trustees, Tracey and Angie, have joined the fold - (visit ‘about us trustees’ page (to be up-dated))

The weekend is very much about allowing YOU, our supporters to have the opportunity to really  aware that you are not just a donator or a sponsor.  You can meet  people (other than the trustees) who have met and know the children, have talked to them, visited their home and seen them ‘blossom’  over the years of NFN involvement. .  You can see exactly where your money is being spent and on who and what as well as where. 

            JOIN US IN 2012 - WATCH OUT FOR THE NEXT WALKING WEEKEND DATE FOR 2012

New Futures Nepal 
Everest region fundraising trek Feb 9th-20th 2011

The second New Futures Nepal charity trek to Thyagboche in the Everest region was a huge success for New Futures Nepal. So thank you to the trekkers and their sponsors who raised this extraordinary amount.

The trek was fantastic. Ten days were spent in Nepal, which combined 7 days trekking in the Everest region with three days in Kathmandu.

Twenty people, between 17 and 64 years of age, experienced the wonders of the Himalayan scenery and the welcoming culture of the Nepali people. The sights ranged from panoramic mountain splendour to ancient temples and monasteries, as well as a yeti scalp. The weather varied from brilliant sunshine to blanketing snow. Everyone had a wonderful time with high spirits throughout.

In Kathmandu a whole day was spent at the Hope Centre playing football, cricket and chess as well as dancing, painting toe nails and generally having fun with all the children.

If you want to know read A TREKKER'S TALE below. The next NFN trek to Nepal is in 2013 but in May 2012 you can walk the West Highland Way (all the details on this website). 

A TREKKER'S TALE  2011

                       
   The trekkers meeting the very orphaned & disabled children they had raised money for................................

“Why don’t you go on the trek?” I was asked. “I think you’ll enjoy it”. “Hmm…” I replied, “I’ll think about it”. An eleven day trip to Nepal, with 6 of them spent trekking in the Everest region, and an opportunity to raise funds for NFN – what was there to think about?! Within days I had made up my mind and, a few months later, I joined imagebrowser image19 eager trekkers assembled at Heathrow ready for our departure to Kathmandu.

Less than 48 hours later, and after an exhilarating flight to Lukla airstrip, we stepped off our little plane into brilliant sunshine and began our trek. Words cannot do justice to the splendour of the scenery. The mountains seemed to go on forever; not only with the distance trekked but also up into the sky. Just when you think your eye has met the summit of one, the clouds shift and you have to look even higher!
             We trekked in ‘true’ Himalayan fashion with a group of porters (to carry our kit-bags) and sherpas who, not only guided us en route, but quickly made us feel as if we were among good friends. Many an evening was spent with them playing the card game ‘Uno’ resulting in much merriment (and some ‘not too subtle’ cheating)!

The walking itself (let’s be honest) was uphill… Well, what do you expect in the Himalaya? But the paths were wide and easily passable even with the unwavering yak-trains coming in the opposite direction! And then, only on day two, there it was – our first glimpse of Everest. The higher we went, the views only improved. Everest and its neighbours kindly kept themselves visible and at one viewpoint all you could hear was the clicking of non-stop camera shutters!

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We reached our goal of tengboche (3870m) on day four and yet again marvelled at the grandeur of Everest whilst drinking black tea. Day five meant we began our descent to Khumjung but yet again new experiences abounded as we were taken to inspect a yeti scalp, on show at the gomba (monastery), and also visited the local school started by Sir Edmund Hillary.


Sadly, our trek was soon at its end but was celebrated in style with a party on our return to Lukla. Back in Kathmandu we visited the Hope Centre where we met the children and their guardians. To witness what NFN, with the unerring assistance of their Nepali partners and the UK supporters, have achieved for these children in such a short space of time was, to say the least, inspiring.


The trek was brilliantly organised and the experience was more memorable because of all the people involved. So, when someone asks you if you want to go on the next NFN trek, don’t hesitate. Would I do it again? You betcha!
Read on .................................................. 

The trekkers surpassed all fundraising expectations  ........ and here’s how one trekker raised money

Having told friends living in the little hamlet of Pootings near Edenbridge that I wanted to raise some money for the New Futures Nepal charity trek, I was not prepared for the amazing response of the people of Pootings.

They decided to produce a pop festival, showcasing local unsigned talent, with authentic Nepalese curry, children’s activities, and for the festival-hardy amongst us, the chance to camp. They called it ‘Poofest’!  On 11 September, Pootings welcomed around five hundred festival-goers to be entertained by seven top quality local acts, all of whom gave their time and talents free of charge.

Though the first few bands bravely reached out to an audience huddled under gazebos and shelters throughout the field, the rain eventually gave way to a spectacular evening, culminating in a superb set from ‘The Charlie Rivers Band’. The completely professional set-up, the quality of the music, and, above all I think, the big-hearted commitment of the organisers, produced a magical atmosphere throughout the funfilled day, and New Futures Nepal made many, many new
friends. There were immediate demands for a re-run in 2011, so look out for ‘Poofest – Number 2!!’ next year!
 
Angela Bowen

Doug Scott CBE becomes a Patron of New Futures Nepal

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We are delighted to welcome Doug Scott as a Patron of New Futures Nepal.  Doug said;

“I am delighted to become a patron of New Futures Nepal which is a small but effective charity run by enthusiastic and passionate volunteers.  Like all of us who have visited Nepal, we have been captivated by the charm of Nepal and are dedicated to improving the lives of the people and especially the lives of the disabled and orphaned Nepali children”.

He will also be giving a lecture in York in November 2011 which will also raise funds for New Futures Nepal.  (go to Patrons page for more information)

 

                               Lockton Art Exhibition October 2010

The Fundraising Art Exhibition in Lockton village hall on the weekend of 1-3 October 2010has been and gone.  imagebrowser image

Once again we are delighted with the news from Trustee Colin Culley at the support and success of the           North Yorkshire people who raised several hundred pounds for New Futures Nepal and the children they support. 

Add to this the hard work Colin and his supporters and sponsors have put into The Harrison Art Exhibition in the city of York and the Harrison Trek in the grounds of Castle Howard then it has been a wonderful year.
We would like to thank the local artists for their generosity and to thank those who helped in any way and those who attended the exhibition.

   THE 2010 HARRISON TREK FOR OUR CHILDREN IN NEPAL

For the third year in succession, S Harrison Developments Ltd has sponsored the HarrisonTrek for Children in Nepal to raise funds for the registered charity New Futures Nepal. The latter has built a home in Kathmandu for disabled andimagebrowser image disadvantaged Nepali children.

The venue was the picturesque setting of Castle Howard and as the 200 participants arrived they were welcomed by the idyllic sound of the Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band echoing across the valley. The warm sunny weather provided excellent walking conditions and it was a pleasure to stroll around the magnificent grounds and gardens of Castle Howard and out into the Howardian Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With the opportunity to take refreshments at the base camp and view the stalls and the charity art exhibition, a good day was had by all. Trustee Colin Culley said ‘In a climate of financial restraint, following the recession, we are delighted to report that substancial funds were  raised for NEW FUTURES NEPAL.

Our thanks go to everyone who was involved    OR VISIT        www.s-harrison.co.uk/about-us/charity/

Our next event will be ‘The Harrison Art Exhibition for Children in Nepal’ to be held at Lockton Village Hall from 1st to 3rd October 2010.

THE HARRISON ART EXHIBITION                                                                                            

imagebrowser imageDuring 22nd May to 29th May 2010 S. Harrison Developments & New Futures Nepal held an Art Exhibition at West Offices,  York. We are delighted to report that the  Exhibition proved to be an outstanding success in raising funds for New Futures Nepal.  

We still have over 40 pieces of artwork to sell and we have more exhibitions arranged for later in the year. We would like to thank the local artists for their generosity and to thank those who helped in any way and those who attended the exhibition.

The 2008 and 2009 Treks Incredible Success 

Our thanks to everyone who helped of participated.
 Fundraisers came from across the county and beyond to enjoy one of three walks – of 2, 5 and 15 miles in and around the grounds of North Yorkshire’s famous stately home.  All the walks finished in the grounds of Castle Howard, where participants were able to enjoy the wonderful surroundings adding a special touch to what had been quite an exhilarating day before returning the base camp. The York based Gurkha Regiment provided support both in the base camp as well as out on the walks where visitors were able to meet and talk to them personally. They also provided traditional Nepal craft and food stalls, Nepali meals, staffed by families of Ghurkha soldiers based in York.

Martyn Harrison whose family joined him on the trek said: “The New Futures Nepal team have managed to create a real carnival atmosphere at base camp. Those participating were not only raising funds for a very worthy cause; they were clearly having great fun doing it at what is a truly child-friendly event.”
We have also had support from both celebrity campaigner Joanna Lumley and Archbishop John Sentamu who pledged their support for the trek and for the work of the charity.

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 NEW FUTURES NEPAL 2008 CHARITY TREK TO NEPAL

It was a ten day experience in Nepal, which included exploring Kathmandu, visiting the children at the Hope Centre and six days trekking through the Annapurna region in the foothills of the Himalayas, experiencing the stunning views of the Himalayas and culture of Nepal and climbing to nearly 14,000 feet.

There were twenty trekkers in all. Some were long-term supporters of the charity while others were new to us, but all of them were enthusiastic and interested in seeing our work. The trekkers were from all walks of life and there was a mixture of age ranges from 14 to 70. Many had not been to Nepal before. The trekkers surpassed all fundraising expectations,which is being used to benefit the lives of disadvantaged and disabled Nepalese children and adults.

The trek employed local people cutting out payment to an English based trekking company and thereby putting more money where it counts, in Nepalese wages.  Thus, all the benefits go directly to Nepali people, providing paid work for Sherpas, porters, lodge owners and their suppliers. Thank you to all those who participated and fundraised and also to everyone who sponsored the trekkers.

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Trekkers’ feedback:                                                 :

“The trek was fantastic and I enjoyed every minute of it even the breathless ones!” “I really can’t think of any way it could have been made better. The second day nearly killed me – but the lodge at the end was worth it. I’d definitely go again at the next available opportunity”.

“The trek teahouses were great and added to the atmosphere of the adventure.  The organisation of the whole trek was great the food on the trek was excellent. Ram and his colleagues should be congratulated”.

“It was a wonderful experience in great company and I feel very privileged to have been a part of it - and especially having the opportunity of visiting the Hope Centre - meeting the children and the adults who run it.  It was a wonderful, humbling and emotional experience”.

“I could have played all day at the Hope Centre, the children just being themselves and us joining in with the games was excellent”.
“I had some doubts about visiting the centre – mainly concerned that the children would be ‘on show’ in some way. This proved completely not to be the case and I really enjoyed the visit and was glad I had decided to go. I feel like I have a real connection with the place as a result”.

“I do feel much more connected with the charity and its work and therefore more committed in general. The visit has caused me to think about how the charity helps the children make the transition into adult life and work etc in a secure and positive way. I guess one practical way I’ll keep involved is trying to raise funds and raise awareness of the charity’s activities among my friends, family and work contacts”

“It's been a shock going back to work after the trek! Nepal is such a wonderful place and I feel very privileged to have been involved in the New Futures experience. I am ‘loving’ my Nepalese CD, can't stop humming the tunes, it will always remind me of party night with the trek staff”.
 

 



 

 

 

Helping disadvantaged children and adults of Nepal
New Futures Nepal - Helping disadvantaged children and people of Nepal