College News
Fundraising for Nepal
Date Posted: 04/04/2014 | Posted In: Latest news
A group of 18 students and 2 members of staff from QE will travel to Nepal in October to help in deprived communities.
Nepal is the poorest country in South Asia and ranks as the twelfth poorest country in the world, with half the population living below the poverty line and about one third living without clear water. Half the children are malnourished and underweight as most Nepalese live on a $1 day or less.
The QE group will spend 14 days in Nepal, based within the local community and working with children in an orphanage close to Kathmandu. Many of the children have previously lived on the streets but the work of the orphanage has given them a safe place to live and learn. The students will help to build extra facilities such as toilets and accommodation blocks to meet the needs of the growing number of children in the orphanage. The group will also take out to the children basic items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, clothing, sports equipment and teaching materials.
To fund the project the group has been busy raising funds through various activities such as cake sales, bag packing, bungee jumping and much more, including a Ball held at Headlam Hall Hotel. Teacher Becky Stannard is one of the leaders of the Nepalese expedition and was delighted with the success of the Ball. Giving details, she says:
‘The Ball included a sumptuous four course meal, Nepalese dancers, a live singer, a giant raffle and an auction of promises. The auction was kindly conducted by Maurice Scott of Hawes Auction Mart who encouraged the Ball guests to part with large sums of money for items such as a dinner party in their own home, car washes and original art work. The evening was rounded off with dancing and a big thank you from the students. The evening was enjoyed by all and a magnificent total of £3000 was raised.’
