Tag: Nepal

Child abuse survivors raise almost £50,000 for NSPCC by climbing world’s highest mountain

A group of abuse survivors have raised £48,106 for child protection charity the NSPCC by scaling Mount Everest.

Giles Moffatt (51), who suffered abuse as a young boy at Edinburgh Academy, brought together the 11-strong group of men and women, many of them also child abuse survivors, to form ‘Team Uprising’ and travel to Nepal to trek at ultra-high altitude in the Himalayas.

The wider group reached Everest Base Camp on April 12 and Giles, his climbing companion Andrew Leslie and three guides continued further up the mountain in a bid to reach the summit by the end of May.

Mid expedition Giles became unwell with High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), which is when fluid collects in the lungs and if left untreated can be fatal.

Following treatment, he returned to the mountain for three more weeks and made a further attempt to get up the notorious Khumbu Icefall, the route to the higher camps. Struck by a different illness a second time, he was forced to turn back.

Despite not reaching the summit, Giles has achieved what he set out to do – raising awareness of the impact of child abuse and bringing in much needed funds for the NSPCC to help keep children safe.

Giles, who lives in Rye, East Sussex, said: “A year ago, the members of Team Uprising were strangers, now we are friends for life. 

“Eleven of us made it to base camp and one of us made it to the summit with support from our Sherpa guides. Most importantly, everyone made it back safely. Out of evil, much good has come.”

Andrew (37) made it to the summit of Everest on May 21, with three Sherpa guides and colleagues – PK Sherpa, Mingma Sherpa, and Sonam Sherpa. Andy, who grew up in Helensburgh but now lives in Portland, Oregon, said he was thrilled to complete his lifelong ambition of getting to the top of Everest.

He said: “It was really special to climb with Giles and this group of survivors. We were all brought together by a passion for mountains and the transformation they are capable of creating, but there was a much deeper purpose to this expedition. 

“Many men in the group had a shared traumatic experience in childhood, so our climb aimed to raise awareness of the impact of this kind of abuse. With everyone reaching Base Camp and some of us going on to climb Everest, we took a terrible childhood experience and turned it into something really positive which we hope will help prevent abuse happening to children.

“The money raised for the NSPCC will be used to help keep children safe.

“This journey pushed me to my physical and mental limits more than I ever thought possible, and the perspectives gained together with this group will last a lifetime. It’s a journey that has left me changed for the better.”

The funds raised by ‘Team Uprising’ will go towards supporting NSPCC services. These include Childline, the charity’s free counselling service for children, the adult Helpline for reporting concerns about a child and the charity’s educational programmes, such as Talk PANTS and Speak Out Stay Safe, which aim to help prevent child abuse and neglect.

Other members of the group included: Neil Russell, Neil MacDonald, Frazer Macdonald, Graeme Sneddon, Adrian Blakemore, Niall Mackinlay, and friends and family Cat Bolten, Rachel Leslie, Andrea Christensen, Jacob Christensen.

They were supported by OONI Pizza Ovens, Tiso, Thermos, Tunnocks, The Altitude Centre in London, Lindores Abbey Distillery and Taking the Pea snacks.

Young people looking for support can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.

Any adult concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk. But should call the police on 999 straight away if they think a child is in immediate danger.

To donate, visit:

G Moffatt is fundraising for NSPCC (justgiving.com)

Children across the UK are missing eye tests, charity warns

Those in low-income countries most at risk of sight loss

New findings released today reveal the impact of the pandemic on children’s eyesight in Scotland and Britain.

Seven in 10 adults in Britain are not aware that children should have an eye test at 4-5 years of age, as recommended by the NHS. In Scotland, two in three (66 per cent) of adults are unaware of this.

With children going back to school and spending more time on digital devices than ever before, the international eye care charity, Orbis is urging parents to book eye tests for their children as soon as possible.

The YouGov poll of 2,025 adults across Britain, 373 of them parents with children under 18 years of age, was commissioned by Orbis UK – the international eye health charity. Over half (54%) of parents in Britain admit they have not attempted to book an appointment for their children since the pandemic, while almost a quarter of parents (24%) are not sure if their child’s eyesight has got worse in this time.

The poll marks the two-year anniversary of its See My Future UK Aid Match appeal which works to fight avoidable blindness amongst children in Nepal.

While the findings reveal a need for action on eye health in Great Britain, the situation is especially stark for those living in parts of the world where there is little access to eye healthcare.

Globally 1.1 billion people experience vision loss and 90% of it is avoidable. Most of these people live in low-to-middle income countries such as Nepal, where avoidable vision loss means children are dropping out of school – either because their own eye health is poor, or to care for a blind or visually impaired family member.

The Orbis REACH (Refractive Error Among Children) initiative, partially funded by the UK government through UK Aid Match, works in the remote areas of Parsa and Siraha in Southeast Nepal.

Eye health workers screen and treat children with vision loss, enabling them to continue to attend school and look forward to a brighter future.

Children like 12-year-old Sneha* who struggled to read the blackboard and resorted to copying her friends’ notes so she could keep up in class. Orbis supported her with a screening including an eye test and glasses. She can now see properly and hopes to become a bank manager when she is older.

Larry Benjamin, Orbis medical volunteer and retired Consultant Ophthalmologist says: “The pandemic has been a challenge for all of us and it’s understandable parents have avoided health visits. But with so many children in Britain not seeing an optician, it is important that parents try to book eye tests for their children where possible.

“And for children living in parts of the world with little or no access to eye care, the challenges brought about by the pandemic are particularly worrying. Globally, children and adults have missed routine eye exams, and people are avoiding visits to eye health centers as they fear contracting the virus. It’s vital that Orbis reaches as many people as possible to ensure more children and families can hope for a better future.”

Rebecca Cronin, Chief Executive of Orbis UK, says: “Like NHS and high street eye-care teams, our eye health partners around the world have risen to the challenges brought about by the pandemic, delivering eye care in remote parts of the world and adhering to local guidelines to ensure patient safety.”

“But millions of people, especially children, are not getting the timely treatment they need. In many areas of the world where Orbis works, undiagnosed sight loss can have devastating consequences, plunging families into poverty.

“Even before the pandemic, the need for specialist eye doctors was already outpacing the numbers of trained experts in ophthalmic care. With 50% of people in Britain expressing concern about this, it’s clear the work of Orbis is more vital than ever and your support critical to the fight against avoidable blindness”.

The See My Future Appeal in 2019 raised almost £1.4 million pounds for the REACH project, this included over £650,000 of match funding from the UK Government. The funds have enabled over 71,639 children to have eye screenings, reached 213 schools and delivered treatments and training for eye health workers so they can identify vision issues.

With schools closed for much of 2020 the project adapted, working with local female community health volunteers to deliver house to house screenings. As a result, 1,000 more children, who do not normally attend school and would otherwise not be screened, had their eyes tested for the first time.

Orbis is now calling on its supporters to help raise money so it can help more people who are at risk of avoidable blindness. 

To find out more about Orbis and how to donate, visit www.orbis.org

ELREC appeal: Pedal for Nepal

PLEASE DONATE FOR NEPAL: ELREC CYCLES FOR NEPAL

Dear Friends / Colleagues,

Help us to raise funds for Nepal Earthquake victims. Please donate via gofundme http://www.gofundme.com/ELREC4NEPAL or at ELREC. No donation is too small.

On the 25th of April 2015 a powerful earthquake killed more than 8500 people and destroyed many homes, roads and historical monuments. Nepal has declared a state of emergency. The earthquake has left hundreds of thousands of families homeless and without access to drinking water, and reliable and safe food supply.

It is heart-breaking to think what these people are going through after losing their loved ones, their homes and their villages. These are very difficult times for Nepal. Nepal is one of the least developed countries in the world with a very high level of poverty. The people of Nepal need all the help they can get to overcome this terrible disaster.

To support Nepali victims, come join us on Sunday 9 August to raise funds for Nepal. We will cycle along the Water of Leith from the city centre to Balerno and cycle back to the centre.

Please let us know if you will be joining the cycle ride or whether you will be at the meeting and starting point to give your support. Many people have already indicated their intention to cycle the route.

Please wear appropriate clothing, bring your own bicycle, water and snacks. If you don’t have a bike, let us know: we might be able to help.

When: Sunday 9 August from 2pm to 5pm

Where: Meet and startat the junction of Saunders Street and Deanhaugh Street, Stockbridge: EH3 6TU. See route Map (below).

Our goal is to raise £5,000

We welcome all donations whether you are able to cycle with us or not.

ALL FUNDS RAISED WILL BE DONATED to Nepal Scotland Association (http://www.nepalscotlandassociation.org/).

ELREC will provide you with feedback on the use of the funds in Nepal. The funds will help to re-build homes for the victims in villages such of Nuwakot and Gorkha where there is acute poverty.

Thank you in advance for all of your generous donations to help the people of Nepal.

For further information, please contact ELREC by email: admin@elrec.org.uk  or by phone on 0131 556 0441.

Foysol Choudhury MBE
Chair, Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council
http://www.elrec.org.uk/

cycle route map

Light a candle for Nepal

nepal earthquake

Marking one week since the devastating earthquake in Nepal, Edinburgh residents and visitors are being invited to show solidarity at a candlelit vigil outside the City Chambers tomorrow.

The Lord Provost Donald Wilson lodged an emergency motion at a meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council on Thursday to call on local support for the Mercy Corps Nepal Earthquake appeal.

He said: “When an event as devastating as this take place, I believe it is important for residents to feel they have an opportunity to express condolences and provide united support.

“I urge everyone in Edinburgh to do and give what they can, whether they join us for the candle lighting ceremony, make a donation to the Mercy Corps, pause for reflection or say a prayer for the lives lost.

“Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and is suffering one of the most horrific of disasters. The survivors of this terrible earthquake and all of the aid workers in Nepal urgently need sympathy and support from all corners of the world.”

APRIL nepal earthquake

Rajendra Bam, the Chair of the Nepal Scotland Association, added: “The effect on our country has been devastating. We represent about 800 Nepali people in Edinburgh and the Lothians and no one has been left untouched by this tragedy, everyone has a story. Our community is a very close one and what affects one affects another. We are working in cooperation with charities, such as Mercy Corps, towards the urgent relief programme. Anything that you can do to help us is much appreciated.”

Edinburgh-based international charity Mercy Corps has been working in Nepal since 2006. The humanitarian organisation has reacted with an emergency response in Nepal following the massive earthquake and their dedicated team has been working tirelessly, whilst dealing with their own tragedies, to evaluate conditions and deliver emergency supplies to desperate families.

APRIL earthquake in Nepal

Simon O’Connell, Executive Director, Mercy Corps Europe said: “Our teams have been working hard for the last week to meet emergency needs of survivors in Nepal and assess what is needed for the recovery of the country. We are distributing urgent relief to families in Kathmandu and in villages outside of the capital and working hard to get more emergency supplies in for families who are in desperate need. Time is of the essence and donations are critical to our ongoing relief effort.”

The City of Edinburgh Council is a partner of the Edinburgh Disaster Response Committee which is asking residents to help survivors during the aftermath of the disaster.

A fund has opened with the Edinburgh based humanitarian organisation Mercy Corps for urgent donations.

City to shine support for Nepal

‘There is no time to lose’ – Lord Provost Donald Wilson

APRIL nepal earthquake

Edinburgh residents are being encouraged to shine to show their solidarity with the people of Nepal tonight following Saturday’s tragic earthquake.

The City of Edinburgh Council is a partner of the Edinburgh Disaster Response Committee which is asking residents to help survivors during the aftermath of the disaster. A fund has opened with the Edinburgh-based humanitarian organisation Mercy Corps for urgent donations.

To pause to reflect on the devastation, the Lord Provost will lead a candlelight vigil which will be open for all residents to attend. The candle lighting will take place at 4pm on Saturday 2 May at the City Chambers.

Tonight is the last evening of the Council’s interactive light installation in St Andrew Square with the Edinburgh International Science Festival. In a display of support for Nepal, Twitter users will be asked to turn the Melville Monument red which is the shade of the Nepalese flag and the Mercy Corps Earthquake Appeal.

The Lord Provost Donald Wilson plans to lodge an emergency motion at Thursday’s meeting of the Full Council to call on support of the appeal. He said: “Edinburgh residents are known for their generosity of spirit and together we can make a difference to people in Nepal by providing urgent donations. Even a gesture of solidarity like the red lighting of St Andrew Square or a candle at Edinburgh’s vigil demonstrates support and raises awareness of the appeal. There is no time to lose.”

Edinburgh based international charity Mercy Corps has been working in Nepal since 2006. The humanitarian organisation has launched an emergency response in Nepal following the massive earthquake and their dedicated team of more than 90 people has been working tirelessly to evaluate conditions and deliver emergency supplies to desperate families, whilst dealing with their own tragedies.

Simon O’Connnell, Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Corps Europe, with their headquarters in Edinburgh, said: “Our thoughts are with the people of Nepal and all those in the region experiencing the effects of the quake. Our team has begun distributing urgently needed relief kits to people most affected and we are also working hard to get more supplies to reach the thousands in need.

“On behalf of the Mercy Corps team, we thank the Edinburgh community for your generosity and compassion as we race to help the Nepalese people.”

Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world, with about one-third of its citizens living below the poverty line. The country’s dramatic landscape makes it hard to reach remote villages even in the best circumstances. These next days are critical for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of survivors and Mercy Corps is reaching families left homeless who desperately need shelter, food and water.

Send lifesaving relief with an emergency donation to the Edinburgh Disaster Nepal Earthquake Fund now.

Nepal earthquake: beware bogus ‘charity’ appeals

As aid flies out from the UK to Nepal, members of the public are being warned to be cautious about charity appeals …

APRIL nepal earthquake

On Saturday 25 April a massive earthquake struck Nepal. It severely shook the lives of at least 5.3m people and left many homeless.  Nepal’s major cities, including the capital Kathmandu, have been badly damaged and rural areas near the epicentre have been completely cut off by avalanches.

Already over 3000 people have been confirmed dead and the figure is likely to rise significantly in the coming days. Even those whose homes are still standing are sleeping in the streets because they are terrified by regular aftershocks.
All over the world, people will want to come to the aid of the stricken people of Nepal – but sadly some unscrupulous fraudsters will see the disaster as an opportunity to capitalise on this generosity of spirit.

The Charity Commission is encouraging people wishing to help those affected by the earthquake disaster in Nepal to donate only to established registered charities.

It says charities such as the members of the Disasters Emergency Committee, which has launched a dedicated appeal in response to the earthquake, are experienced in providing emergency help during humanitarian disasters.

The regulator says that most fundraising is genuine, but warns the public to guard against unscrupulous people who exploit the generosity of the public by fundraising fraudulently.

It is urging people not to attempt to send cash or aid out directly themselves and not to forget that there are other ways of supporting registered charities if they cannot afford to or do not want to donate. For example, people can take part in fundraising events and activities organised by a registered charity.

There are laws around collecting money for charity in public which are there to protect donors and make sure that the money raised goes to a genuine charitable cause. The commission says there are simple steps people can take to help ensure they give to genuine registered charities. The tips include:

  • check for a registered charity number, and check that against the charity’s entry on the commission’s online charity search tool – if you want to give to the DEC appeal, its registered charity number for England and Wales is 1062638
  • check whether collectors are wearing a proper ID badge and that any collection tin is sealed
  • if in doubt, ask the collector for more information – a genuine fundraiser should be happy to answer questions and explain more about the work of the charity (please see below for further safer giving tips).

APRIL earthquake in NepalPaula Sussex, Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, said: “The British public is incredibly generous and we want to encourage them to continue giving to people in the most desperate need, such as those affected by the earthquake disaster in Nepal.

Our advice is to give to registered charities that have experience in delivering aid in difficult circumstances in the aftermath of natural disasters. It only takes a few minutes to check whether a charity is registered with us – and if in doubt, ask the fundraiser questions about how your money will be used. Good charities will be more than happy to answer your questions.”

Top tips for checking whether an organisation appealing for donations is a genuine registered charity:

  • before giving, check the charity’s name and registration number – you can verify this using the online charity search tool on GOV.UK
  • when approached by collectors, check whether they are wearing a proper ID badge and that any collection tin is sealed
  • if in doubt, ask the collector for more information – a genuine fundraiser should be happy to answer questions and explain more about the work of the charity
  • genuine fundraising materials should feature the charity’s name, registered name and a landline contact number – be wary of those that list only a mobile number
  • look for the FRSB tick logo indicating that the charity is signed up to fundraising regulation, encouraging you to give with confidencewww.givewithconfidence.org.uk
  • to check whether a fundraiser is authorised to collect money in a public place (they must have a licence), contact your local authority or, if in London, the police – if it is a private place, check with the owner
  • take care when responding to emails or clicking links to a charity’s website to ensure that they are genuine – instead, search online for your preferred charity to check you have the right web address
  • after making these checks, if you think that a collection or appeal is not legitimate, report it as a crime to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and inform the Charity Commission
  • if in any doubt, contact your favoured charity direct to make a donation

Botanics strengthens links with Nepal

Agreement strengthens 200 year relationship

botanics

A new era has dawned in collaborations between the UK and Nepal with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) and the Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation Department of Plant Resources (DPR).

The agreement flags up a significant commitment to long-term capacity building in plant research, conservation and education in the South Asian biodiversity hot-spot.

While RBGE has connections in Nepal dating back to the early 1800’s, this is regarded as a distinctively fresh form of partnership. The deal was sealed when Mr Yam Bahadur Thapa, Director General of Nepal’s Department of Plant Resources, flew to Edinburgh to meet RBGE Regius Keeper Simon Milne MBE.

Looking forward to a number of imminent new initiatives including plans for a Biodiversity Education Garden to be built at Nepal’s National Botanic Garden, the two agreed the way was open for yet closer working ties.

Simon Milne said: “The connections between the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Nepal date back some 200 years and our working relationship is going from strength to strength. This accord underscores a common commitment to build on the strength of our past affiliation towards even more productive collaboration.

“We can look forward to new opportunities in developing appreciation, education, knowledge and conservation of the plant kingdom and protecting the natural capital that sustains us.”

Mr Thapa said: “King Mahendra was so impressed by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh when he visited in 1960 that he inaugurated Nepal’s first and only National Botanic Garden two years later. RBGE horticultural staff are out in Nepal at the moment giving much-needed training to my staff and we are looking forward to developing our partnership in the future.”

Dr Mark Watson, Head of Major Floras at RBGE and Editor-in-Chief of the international Flora of Nepal research programme explained the significance of the MOU: “Although it is a small country, Nepal has an enormous range of habitats and is home to some 7000 species of vascular plants, making it a globally-important biodiversity hot-spot.

“However, conservation and sustainable use of plant biodiversity is hampered by the lack of primary inventory information and means to identify and characterise species.  This is exacerbated by a lack of trained people to undertake plant biodiversity inventory and documentation. Poor facilities, lack of equipment and limited funding also need to be addressed.

“The process is underway. RBGE has led several in-country workshops and hands-on training events. MSc and PhD training of Nepalese botanists at the University of Edinburgh and RBGE is proving a success and many more ambitious plans are in the pipeline.”

Click here for more information on RBGE’s Flora of Nepal research programme.

Here’s to the next 200 years!