Local charity aims to smash £10,000 Nepal fundraising record

Local charity aims to smash £10,000 Nepal fundraising record

Following the recent devastating floods, a local charity, Harrogate Brigantes Rotary, has launched a Nepal floods appeal, setting themselves the ambitious target of beating their previous £10,000 fundraising record following the 2015 earthquake.

Harrogate Brigantes’ president, Guy Wilson, comments:

“We’re sure, like us, you will have been shocked and saddened by the terrible scenes coming out of Nepal and our thoughts are with everyone who has lost their life, loved ones, home or livelihood, as well as for those who are just waiting for news.”

He adds:

“Harrogate Brigantes, has a long association with Nepal through our ‘Changing Young Lives in Nepal’ project, which we have run for many years with support from our trusted local partner, The Himalayan Gurkhas Rotary Club in Kathmandu. One of our key contacts out there, Major Lil Gurung MBE, was once stationed with the Gurkhas just up the road in Catterick. Nepal is therefore a country close to our hearts, with many Brigantes’ Rotarians, including myself, having visited the country as volunteers.”

Major Lil is not the only one with links to our area. A few years ago Harrogate Brigantes hosted a group of 40 Nepalese children here in Harrogate, inviting them to perform at their bi-annual Kid’s Aloud concert at the Royal Hall. The music was written in collaboration with children from both countries and was based on an old Nepalese folk tale. Some of you may have even been in the audience to witness this unique cultural exchange.

Harrogate Brigantes are also no strangers to helping Nepal in times of disaster. In 2015 they raised over £10,000, in partnership with The Crown Hotel, to support recovery efforts following the devastating earthquake in the country.

Co-organiser and Brigantes Rotarian Charlotte Gale comments:

“The money raised in 2015 through the generosity of local residents and businesses enabled us to send a substantial donation to the Himalayan Gurkhas Rotary Club, who travelled the length and breadth of Nepal to make sure every penny was spent where it was needed most.”

She adds:

“The Himalayan Gurkhas have once again reached out to Harrogate Brigantes to ask for our support, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to assist them, as Nepal recovers from the recent catastrophic floods. We have therefore launched our ambitious Nepal Floods Appeal.”

The campaign has been given a helping hand due to a generous legacy left to Brigantes by a friend of the club. This means every pound raised for their appeal, up to a total of £7,500, will be match-funded. So any donations will go even further to helping those most in need.

Those who feel able to donate can do so securely via the following Just Giving link:
www.justgiving.com/campaign/brigantes-rotary-nepal-flood-appeal

Registered charity number: 1046738