People
Dr Mike Steven, Executive Director Helambu Project UK
Mike is a GP in Banchory who had previously trekked in the area as a medic for a BBC expedition. After trekking through the Sindhuplachok District during the filming of Extreme Dreams, Dr Mike was moved by the harsh living standards of the locals, yet at the same time – like many visitors to Nepal – was humbled and overwhelmed by their kindness and hospitality. He therefore made a promise on his return to help to raise awareness of the Helambu Community by setting up Helambu Project UK. Since then he has fundraised within Scotland and re-visited Nepal in 2009 with his medical colleagues as part of the Health Camp trek. His current role has been to continue to help co-ordinate fundraising activity within the UK and support the further development of the medical infrastucture in the region.
Email: drmike@helambuproject.org
Matt Dodds, Executive Director Helambu Project UK
Matt is an Ayrshire Businessman who first travelled to Nepal in 2007 to trek to Everest Base Camp and then returned in 2008 to summit Mera Peak. On both occasions he was deeply moved by the harsh and basic conditions that the Sherpa people live in and on returning decided then that he would invest some time and money to help the people of Nepal. By very good fortune, it was a chance reading of an article shortly after his return in the Daily Record newspaper about Dr Mike’s involvement in Extreme Dreams that led Matt to first make contact with Helambu Project. Since that time Matt and his wife Jeanette has worked very hard to raise the profile of Helambu Project in his locality, raising several thousand pounds in the process. Matt also toured the region in November 2009 as part of the visiting Helambu UK/USA team. Matt’s current role has been to continue to help promote fundraising activity within the UK.
“We take so much for granted here in the UK, to see young women walking through snow, with a container, to collect water at daybreak, 0530hrs is a bit humbling”
Email: matt@helambuproject.org
Pearl Wight, fundraiser and volunteer medic
Pearl is a qualified nurse currently working at Arran War Memorial Hospital, who also works for the Arran Mountain Rescue Team. She first visited Nepal in 2005 whilst doing the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek and after skipping 2006 by climbing Kilimanjaro, she returned to Nepal to complete the Everest Base Camp in 2007. It was on this trip with Safe Journey treks that she was first introduced Dorjee Sherpa who was working as a porter at the time and learned of his ambitions for his village and the Helambu region. Pearl returned in 2008 and 2009 to undertake health camp work and continues to fundraise in the Arran area.
“We, in the developed world, take so much for granted. I just want to share a little of what I’ve got with those who have little. All I have to give is time. Nepal touched my heart…..so I’ll spend it there.”