Building a tangible, living and lasting legacy of Paul as a fitting tribute to Paul's remarkable life. Let's contribute collectively by donating in any way (large or small) as a way to keep us all connected with Paul. Please consider to GiftAid your donation (UK taxpayers only) to enable HTUK to claim an additional 25% of your donation free of charge.

“On June 30th, 2018 my beloved husband Paul perished in an avalanche on his attempt to summit Almapayo, one of the most
beautiful mountains in the world.  

Although his story was finished prematurely, Paul lived a hundred times the life of most people. He was the most loving husband, a deeply dedicated father, and very caring son. A successful entrepreneur, an inspiring boss, mentor and colleague, a rock to count on with an incredibly generous heart and virtuous modesty. He gave without any expectation of reciprocity. 

Paul deeply touched and inspired the people he met. And so a group of his dear friends worked with utmost dedication to design this appeal in belief that it will be a fitting tribute to Paul's remarkable life. We launched this appeal at the Royal Geographic Society in London on 2 November 2018 to rebuild a school in Paul's name. The building is well underway - but there is more to do! " - Ana Lesiak Samuel

What?

Rebuild of Laxmi Secondary School in Mamankhe, a remote and very poor mountainous village in Northeastern Nepal in the foothills of Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. The school currently serves 185 students and is very run down and underperforming. To make this school a success it will require a complete new build and a dedicated 10 year education improvement programme 

Our appeal target of £100K is to provide

• Complete newly built school, with 6 classrooms
• New furniture and equipment
• Improved water and power supplies
• Teacher-training programme
• Scholarship programme
• Set-up of School Management Committee and PTA to strengthen parent involvement
• School sanitation and personal
  hygiene programme
• Small science and IT lab
• Child Club

The Himalayan Trust UK has committed to manage and execute all of this and, when the money raised from this appeal has been fully invested, will continue funding to ensure that the school is funded and included in its core education programme (which has 30 schools in adjacent districts) in the long term. 

The original target was for £100K and as at 27 May 2019 we have raised £95K. This was raised quickly enough for the Himalayan Trust to get all the necessary approvals and complete a significant amount of the work on the main new builds.

The work is going very well and is on budget - everyone worked very hard to get the most of the building done before the monsoon rains come. The Mamankhe community are deeply grateful that after many years of petitions to the Himalayan Trust UK, they are finally included in their education programme and they are seeing the evidence in the building works straight away. On the Trust's inspection visit in March it was clear that there was more to do if extra funds could be raised. This would include the retrofit of an 8-room school block, the integration of two local primary schools into the decade long Himalayan Trust Education Programme and the creation of a central small square with a monument in Paul's name.

So after discussions between Ana and the Himalayan Trust UK it was agreed to increase the target to £150K. We believe with your support this should be possible within one year of the memorial event, 2 November 2019.

Thank you for whatever support you have given and any support you can give!

If you prefer to not use online donations methods, there are two other ways to donate

Bank transfer - Himalayan Trust UK, sort code 40 04 12, acc number 91220594 (referencing Paul Samuel Memorial)

Cheques - Kate Wolstenholme, Treasurer of Himalayan Trust UK, 62 Riversdale Road, London, N5 2JZ (referencing Paul Samuel Memorial)