Hi there! Yay! If you are reading this it means that you have reached my fundraising page!! You may now be asking yourself... why does she want my money?? Why is she asking for my help in raising £2300.00??...  

As much as I would like… it's not for my social fund, nor is it to purchase a car or part of a go-home fund to New Zealand. There are more important things in life. Child Action Nepal want to purchase a home to stabilise their orphanage in Nepal and I have put my hand up to help, by taking part in their charity trek. But... I can only do this with the support of others.

www.childactionnepal.org.uk

So, how did I get involved? Well, there's an amazing woman at my workplace called Florence Krief who actually founded Child Action Nepal. Florence visited Nepal in 2002, planning to stay for 3 months teaching English in a Nepalese orphanage. What she found there was appalling scenes of neglect that left her determined to make a difference to the children’s lives, whatever the cost. Using all of her £80,000 savings,Florence funded an orphanage with a new ethos where the children would be given individual care and be brought up within a true family environment.

Within two months she had rented a house (now known as LBU), established a Non Government Organisation (NGO) and found dedicated staff to join her on this journey. She rescued five children from the previous orphanage and funded the project alone for a whole year. The charity has gone from strength to strength; today it is home to 20 children aged between 7 and 16, with running costs of £15,000 pa.

This charity trek will be a huge challenge for me. As well as trying to raise money, I'll have to train really hard and I haven't been to the gym since 2002!!! In October 2007, myself and 14 others will be going on an amazing journey. We'll be travelling to Nepal, trekking through theHimalayas for 5 days and then we'll actually meet these 20 children in person, to see first hand what your donations have provided. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Child Action Nepal will receive your money faster and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Child Action Nepal is wholly dependent on donations and is raising money in 2007 to purchase the house outright, ensuring long term stability for the children.

So please sponsor me now! Thank you sooo much for your support.

Natalie Potter xx