Chairman’s Report December 2008
Namastey and a warm welcome to my annual report . Amidst all the prevailing financial gloom I bring you some very good news. The last six months have seen two major events which will contribute between them over £54.000 to the charity. These events were Castle Howard and the charity trek to Nepal. The effort involved by all who took part in both events, the sponsors, the organisers and the trustees has been phenomenal. My sincere thanks to all of you. The trek to Nepal had a fantastic result. The funds raised exceeded all our expectations. Congratulations to everyone involved in this very special event. Nearer home we had our ‘trek’ at Castle Howard. It was another impressive and enjoyable event and will take place again next year at Castle Howard on 20th June 2009.
The month of October saw four trustees in Nepal and in Kalimpong. Three took part in the charity trek and Charles Barton undertook our annual audit and monitoring visit. We trustees have also been reviewing our business plan for the next three years and our budgets reflect two particular increases. The first is the increasingly high rate of inflation in Nepal and in India. The unstable world markets have touched the poorest people first, pushing up the prices of staple foods such as rice and flour. We will have to try to increase our regular monthly income to cater for this. The second increase in our budgeted expenditure is the provision of funds to support the older children in their transition to independent adulthood. This may be via further education or vocational training. In either case the cost is high, much higher than the cost of school fees. We are looking for sponsors to assist with these expenses. If you would like to support one of these children into their adult lives please contact Paul Crook or any one of the trustees.
The business plan and much more will be presented at our AGM to be held on 22nd March 2009 at the YHA National Forest, Derbyshire as part of our walking weekend. There are just a few places left so if you would like to attend either the weekend or just the AGM please contact one of the trustees
Our charity attains its outstanding results through your support and the hard work of our voluntary trustees and helpers. The tasks involved are too numerous to mention here, but imagine running a limited company entirely through voluntary help, whilst having to answer to and comply with the Charity Commission rules and regulations. If you would like to help us or indeed feel you have skills and experience to offer, please contact me.
Finally, if you are looking to buy a Christmas present that will give pleasure and support a worthy cause, what better idea than our CD "Notes for Nepal': Charles Barton has producedan entertaining and eclectic mixture of music to entertain all age groups and satisfy all musical tastes. May I take this opportunity to wish you a happy Christmas and a very rewarding New Year.
Lynne McCutcheon
Chairman
December 2008