Springboard 2017 Nepal trek raises over £100k
The trek and community challenge from 9-21 March saw 30 trekkers raise £108,000 for the charity, which will go towards helping up to 70 disadvantaged young people in the UK move into sustainable work.
This year’s fundraising target was £135,000, and funds are still coming in, with donations still being taken.
The group walked for five days, before working for three days at the Manju Shree School and Lura Village community in Nepal, helping to rebuild the school, which was damaged in the 2015 earthquake.
The trekkers then prepared a feast for the village, and organised a sports day for the community.
All participants – who each had to raise money themselves ‒ came from different areas of the hospitality industry, including Marcus Wareing Restaurants, The Ritz, and Firmdale hotels.
Two of the trekkers had also benefitted from Springboard’s work personally, including one young woman who took part in the Diageo Learning for Life programme and was then employed by Handpicked Hotels.
Springboard also held a charity trek to Nepal in 2014.
“The challenge extends people – often beyond their comfort zones - whether that’s pre-trek training, fund raising, camping, battling the weather, trudging up mountains in high altitude, or working out how to build a fence with no instructions or modern equipment,” says Anne Pierce, chief executive of Springboard.
“It’s almost impossible to describe the impact that the whole trip has on the group, the community in Nepal, the beneficiaries here in the UK and on The Springboard Charity. So far the money raised has been phenomenal ‒ it has already made a real and lasting difference in Nepal, and it will really make a difference here in the UK.”
She adds, “It was a privilege to lead such a fantastic group who really rose to the challenge. We are indebted to the many companies and sponsors who supported the cause. Here’s to the next one!”
Springboard helps young people and unemployed adults find their way into sustainable employment within the UK hospitality, leisure and tourism industry.
