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Reach Out for Nepal Day 2017 will be held on 24th June, for full details of events simply scroll down to the below events listing & contact the persons listed. Your support will be greatly appreciated.
Doug Scott is coming back to the Cafe!
We are delighted to announce that Doug has agreed to return to the cafe on 11th November 2017 to present ‘A Crawl Down the Ogre’, this will be a fascinating account of his epic fight for survival & rescue. We expect it to be a sell out so for information on how to secure your tickets please visit our Events page.
Welcome
‘Reach Out for Nepal’ began as a one-off day of events at the Moel Siabod Cafe in 2015 as our response to the devastating earthquake Nepal suffered on 25th April 2015. From the outset we decided that any monies raised should be targeted at a specific long term project which would help a specific community. It was decided that this project would be to help with the rebuilding of the Melamchi School in the Yolmo district. Prior to the earthquake the school had been progressively improved under the stewardship of it’s Headmaster Purna Gautam. Between 1998 & 2015 the school buildings were expanded & improved as student numbers increased from 19 to 220 pupils. This was achieved with significant support from Doug Scott’s charity CAN (Community Action Nepal). On 25th April 2015 the school was literally raised to the ground.
Our initial fund raising day raised £6,000, far above our expectation, it was clear we needed help in getting these funds direct to the school, our partnership with CAN began. With such a worthy cause chosen we decided that our support must be on-going so ‘Reach Out for Nepal’ is now an annual event with monies also flowing in through ongoing donations throughout the year. In 2016 we raised a further £11,000. All monies raised are forwarded direct to CAN where they are ring-fenced for fitting out costs of the school’s new science laboratory, once this has been achieved additional monies will be allocated to fitting out additional classrooms.
We simply have too many people to thank for their support, time & generosity, it is just wonderful that you have helped us help Purna & CAN in their efforts to get this wonderful school back on it’s feet.
So where are we now? The school is currently housed in it’s second set of temporary shelters after a worse than usual Monsoon. A new 2 storey building had been initially approved but was then rejected so plans for a single storey building were submitted, these plans were passed in November 2016. CAN transferred nearly £300,000.00 to various re-build projects in January 2017, these included the Melamchi School, Hostel & Road as well as the Bahrabisi, Shree Himalayan & Birendra schools. Melamchi build works start February 2017 with fit out & occupation due in Autumn this year after the Monsoon season has passed. The Science laboratory fit out is estimated to be circa £20,000, it is for this expenditure that the funds raised by Reach Out for Nepal are ring-fenced for. Clearly more funds are needed for both the completion of this fit out as well as additional classrooms. We hope once again you can help us or indeed join us in the fund raising this year.
Reach Out for Nepal Day 24th June 2017 – what’s going on & how to join in:-
Running
23rd June
9:45pm – Paul will set off on his now obligatory charity run. Despite saying in June 2015 ‘Don’t ever let me do that again’ he will be returning to the slopes of Moel Siabod to try & ascend (& descend) the height of Mt Everest within 24 hours. This will require 13 ascents which will equate to 29,500′ (a little more than Everest). To take part e-mail paul.hodges@hotmail.co.uk
9:45pm – we hope to have an Eryri Harriers relay team on the slopes of Moel Siabod with mutual shouts of support between them & Paul. Their goal will be to try & ascend (& descend) the height of Rumdoodle within 24 hours (Rumdoodle is an iconic but ficticious mountain standing at 40,000.5′. This will require 18 ascents at an average ascent time of 1 Hour 20 Minutes. But don’t worry if you want to take part but are not an Eryri member you could join their team or run at a more sedate pace with Paul for an ascent or two. To take part e-mail paul.hodges@hotmail.co.uk
Both runs are looking for donations or a small contribution at least to join the Eryri team.
24th June
Walking
3 Sponsored Walking Challenges
– The Siabod Challenge led by Matthew, a member of the Austrian Alpine Club. This is a big mountain day with some 8,800′ of ascent over 23 miles. To join Matthew e-mail matthewnobles@icloud.com
– The Siabod Half Round led by Nick Livesey, slightly tamer but still a significant mountain day with 5,400′ of ascent over 15 miles. To join Nick e-mail fiona.duckers@btinternet.com
– Llyn Geirionydd & Llyn Crafnant led by Fraser Mackay, a scenic & lower level walk but with a testing 2,100′ of ascent over 10 miles. To join Fraser e-mail fiona.duckers@btinternet.com
Cycling
Moel Siabod Sportif Charity Bike Ride – Ian Draisey is planning a 100 mile bike ride starting & finishing at the Cafe a great way to explore the mountain roads through Snowdonia. You are welcome to join him & seek sponsorship. Interested? e-mail ian@iandraisey.co.uk
Mountain Biking
Tim Harrop will be leading 2 sessions of two hours or so. The morning one in the Llyn Elsi area & suitable for everyone including Beginners, the afternoon one around Llyn Geirionydd & Llyn Crafnant for those with more experience. Suggested mininmum donation minimum per route of £10 to take part (or seek your own sponsorship) as Tim leads you around some of Snowdonia’s wonderful landscapes. Interested? e-mail tnharrop@hotmail.com
Wild Swimming
Charlotte Evans will introduce you to ‘An adventure into the wilds of Snowdonia come & explore a secret mountain infinity pool for an exhilarating dip to remember forever’, Suggested minimum donation of £10 to take part, or raise more by seeking sponsorship. To join Charlotte e-mail charlottevirginiaevans@yahoo.co.uk
Cafe Simply turn up on the day for the following attractions.
Games Mike Lees will be running a series of games throughout the day including ‘roll a pound’ & ‘team challenges’, sure to be a lot of fun.
Yoga We are delighted that Sara Jackson has again volunteered to lead Yoga for the Outdoors, simply donate to take part.
Craft Stalls Twiggy Price & friends, including Trifoil, will have craft stalls and of course Twiggy & Peter continue to source books which are available throughout the year in our entrance foyer, simply choose the ones you want & donate in the box.
Food Gaby will cook her Dal Bhat, all proceeds from it’s sale will go to the fund.
Melamchi School Presentation – At 7:00 pm on the day itself John Rowell will give a brief presentation outlining both progress on the School as well as our fund raising efforts.
Charity Auction – To follow on immediately from John’s presentation Mike Lees will host our Charity Auction with 10 excellent items up for grabs, these already include a superb photographic print signed by the likes of Doug Scott, Chris Bonington and Reinhold Messner.
Charity Quiz – At 08:00 pm Mike will follow up the Auction with one of his excellent Quiz’s. Always popular with adults and children alike, expect knowledge of Nepal, The Labour Party and Dc. Who to be of assistance. Entry fee simply a donation of £10 per team or more if you can.
For further information about our Excellent Quizmaster, Mike Lees’ other fund raising Quizzes you should take time to have a look at the below link too.
