Rotary Club helps build a future for children in Nepal (From Gazette & Herald)

Rotary Club helps build a future for children in Nepal

10:10am Wednesday 29th August 2012 in News

THE work of a Ryedale-based charity which aims to relieve distress and hardship in Nepal is being supported by Malton and Norton Rotary Club.

New Futures Nepal was set up by in 2003 by Colin and Sandra Culley, from Lockton, with a particular focus on orphaned and disabled children.

The couple, along with fellow trustees, had previously visited the country and raised funds to build the orphanage Hope Centre in Kathmandu, which currently houses 26 children.

Following a talk by Colin to Malton and Norton Rotary Club, members agreed to sponsor an eight-year-old girl who had recently joined the orphanage.

Sabina, who has special needs, was abandoned by her mother, and her father was unable to care for her because of his own serious health issues. Sabina suffered injuries to her left arm and leg when she was five and she now has limited mobility.

Colin said the charity welcomed the support of the Rotary Club. He said: “All the trustees are volunteers and the strength of the charity is its ability to ensure that all the funds raised are used for the benefit of the children supported by New Futures Nepal.

“The consistent hard work and boundless enthusiasm of the trustees and their supporters has been acknowledged by Sir Chris Bonington who has recently agreed to become a patron.”

Colin added: “The sponsorship provided by the Rotary Club of Malton and Norton will ensure that Sabina lives in a safe and caring environment, attends school on a daily basis and will receive all the medical care she requires.”

Rotary Club treasurer John Howard said the club had donated more than £10,000 to causes over the past year.

“One of the objectives of the Rotary Club is service in the community and throughout the world, and in line with this, and using funds raised locally, the Rotary Club of Malton and Norton is delighted to sponsor Sabina.”

Colin and Sandra will be trekking in Nepal and returning to the Hope Centre in Kathmandu during 2013 as part of a monitoring programme that ensures funds are used wisely and the children’s needs are being provided for.

Places are still available on the sponsored trek. For more information or to make a donation phone Colin on 01751 460250 or visit www.newfuturesnepal.org

Anyone interested in joining Malton and Norton Rotary Club can phone John Howard on 01653 693513.