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We cannot thank you all enough for so generously donating to the Sherpa Family Support Fund. Somehow or other, in just three weeks, we have together raised an incredible £20,000!! Colin and I hoped we would get to £10,000, but it never ever occurred to me we would get double that. I am overwhelmed at your generosity and have been close to tears at times when I saw how much money was coming in and at the thought of how much good we can do with it. My motto has always been “the danger is not in aiming too high, but in aiming too low and achieving it” because I know we are always capable of achieving much more than we think we are and I have not been proved wrong. You are all incredible, thank you!

The evening of the Avalanche Auction was a huge success. On that evening alone we raised £9,500 thanks to the generosity of those who donated some amazing Lots, and of course to the generosity of those who bid for them. Not surprisingly a day out in the hills with Mountain Guide Kenton Cool was very popular with the ladies present, who wisely decided that rather than bidding against each other, a collective bid was more likely to win against any male opposition, and win they did - so watch out Kenton, you don’t know what you’ve let yourself in for! [photo: The Bothy, Braemar. Our Avalanche Auction Venue.]

NEXT STEPS

Apologies for sending this again, but the photos and links didn't work in the first one.

Three weeks ago (although it seems like much longer) the earth moved below Nepal. It destroyed countless homes, killed thousands of people, and caused a huge avalanche to sweep through Everest Base Camp, killing and injuring many of those in its path. For those who know and love the beautiful country of Nepal and its people, and even for those who don't, the devastation caused by the earthquake has been heartbreaking. We all want to help these people, whose kindness and generosity know no bounds, and who have now lost everything. 

I have spent a lot of time at Everest Base Camp. Months of my life have been spent living in a tent in this beautiful but barren desert of rock and ice surrounded by some of the highest
mountains in the world. I first went out there in 2003 and the following year I was privileged enough to stand on the summit of Everest with Sherpa Ang Nuru, a boy with whom I felt so safe and I know I was lucky to be climbing with him as my partner. I have been to Everest Base Camp almost every year since then, sometimes twice a year, either helping out on expeditions or leading treks. During this time the Sherpas who work with us have become my friends. They welcome me into their houses when I pass through their village and willingly share what little they have with me. Many of them come from the village of Pangboche, which for us mere mortals is 2 or 3 days walk from Base Camp, but they will do the same walk in a day!