News

 Nepali Fundraising Evening Raises £1,300

Wow, what a night. Helen and I would like to thank all those who attended our fourth Nepali fundraising evening at the Kathmandu Nepalese Restaurant on Sunday 26^th April 2009, by kind courtesy of the owner Ashok Kumar and his family. (Stephen, apologies if the congregation was a little depleted. It felt that half of Zion was with us, tucking into some really excellent and delicious Nepalese dishes!).

This sum is being used to purchase and install a Solar Lighting system for the Hope Centre in Kathmandu. For some time there have been prolonged power cuts and power shortages in the country, currently 16 hours per day. We would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Nigel Drew for his advice and help on solar lighting systems. 

We are also very excited and wait with eager anticipation to learn of Nirmala and Anita’s School Leaving Certificate results in June. Nirmala and Anita are now young women and are the first two from either home to complete their school education. They both hope to start college in the autumn to train in their chosen vocations. They will be moving from the Hope Centre to a small rented apartment, just outside the Hope Centre to start integrating them fully to adult life. They will continue to receive some financial support and guidance from Tilak, Ram and the other adults at the Hope Centre and will be encouraged to remain in contact with the Hope Centre. 

 The other good news is that after applying to the British Medical Association (BMA) Helen has secured a grant to undertake some specific health work at the Hope Centre and Hornbeam house for 2 and a half weeks in April 2010. Her proposal includes teaching first aid, health promotion work and working to improve the long term outcome for the disabled children in the home through direct care, training and improving networking with health professionals in Kathmandu. 

 New Futures Nepal is currently planning to run another 10 day Charity trek to Nepal in February or March 2011. It is anticipated that the trek will be in the Everest region of Nepal, flying to Kathmandu and then to Lukla, then trekking to Tengboche, the world famous Buddhist monastery from which great views of Everest and Lhotse can be seen. The number of trekking places will be limited, so if anyone is interested in possibly participating in the trek and seeking further information, then please let us know asap.

 The Royal Bank of Scotland Groups  - Chairman's Awards to Community Excellence  Individual Volunteer Award

 In 2007 our treasurer Paul Crook was nominated by Coutts & co for the annual Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Chairman's Award for Community Excellence. This award is open to staff in the group who do community or charity work in their spare time. Paul was required to submit a 1,000 word application setting out what New Futures Nepal is about and of his own involvement in the charity.

As a result of his application, New Futures Nepal was short listed and Paul was invited to attend a Gala Awards Dinner and Ceremony in Edinburgh in January. This was a considerable achievement in itself as there were thousands of entries from across the Group's businesses in the UK and overseas.

There was even better news to come. At the ceremony Paul received the prestigious runner up prize, comprising a generous cheque to the charity and valuable publicity for New Futures Nepal.

Marathon Man

In 2007 Trustee Charles Barton ran this year's London Marathon in aid of New Futures Nepal. Here's his account of a gruelling but exhilarating day.

21st April early ...today's the day...get up after a sleepless night and off to the start...tube train packed with more mad people like me ..a sardine tin of tense, pre-occupied competitors and their cheery supporters, in my case - wife Anne, children Claire and Tim, niece and nephew Jane and Kevin plus big sister (10 years on me at 70). They have my knee supports, meal bars, tablets, protective head gear against harmful sun rays and a big banner so I can't miss them on route...think nervously of all those who sponsored me...and the children and their carers in Kathmandu...too late now to admit my training was actually with a very small 'T' 

READY...An ambulance flashes by on an emergency call and we haven't even reached the start. How do I look ? ...thought my track suit bottoms might be too hot so borrowed a pair of Anne's three quarter length trousers...slightly big on the bum and tight in the front but worn the other way round, just perfect...

GO....We're off..shuffle along..slow jog..sweat building already...manage a smile as Elvis passes...half a gorilla whizzes by on the inside...then Scoobydoo...an ostrich...some men in ballet skirts...Barely done the first mile and already runners are queuing for the loo...continuous throng of backs and behinds...see a runner with Anne printed on her teeshirt...good omen...use her as my pace maker...no, can't keep up...out of sight already... bodies prostrate themselves next to the ambulance...TEN MILES...shuffle along...keep going...just keep going...but the noise...shouting..cheering, laughter, on top of the music - rock, jazz, blues, Caribbean - great...FIFTEEN MILES...slow running now, but still going forward...small hands hold out orange segments...grab gratefully...gasp of thanks...TWENTY MILES..where's my support team? where's my banner, emergency food and knee supports? Will I see anyone I know ever again ?...THE HOME STRAIGHT ... a mile to go..keep going..don't give up now...I cross the line, the running chip is cut off my shoe, a medal hung round my neck...I collect my goody bag and I stagger off looking for someone to give me a hug ... I MADE IT!!!

Would I do it again? Was it worth it? Absolutely. Like thousands of others I did it for a cause and one that is very close and personal to me, in knowing every child and carer. Thank you to everyone who helped me raise over £2000 for New Futures Nepal.