Everest Marathon 2007
The Everest Marathon Fund; Running For a Good Cause
06.12.2007
The Everest Marathon Fund is a registered British charity, established with the aim of raising money for aid work in Nepal. The runners seek sponsorship and this is added to any operational profits from the race, so that it can help one of the world's poorest countries. (Many areas lack basic facilities like clean water, elementary education and medical facilities.)
The fund gives money to charities that already have a development programme. All work is at grass roots level with the involvement of the local people and benefit those most in need; very little is spent on administration. Projects supported include The Britain-Nepal Medical Trust, Nepal School Projects, WaterAid (Nepal programme), and The Namche Bazaar Dental Clinic.
The first race in 1987 raised just £7,500, but the 12 races to date (not including 2007) have raised over £400,000 pounds. Some of this is matched by other government agencies and many runners divide the money they raise between the fund and UK charities, so the actual sum raised for Nepal and other charities is considerably more.
The race also donates large quantities of medical supplies to Khunde Hospital (near Namche Bazaar) and the Himalayan Rescue Association, which runs a trekkers' medical post at Pheriche. Khunde Hospital has also received 4 Bell mountain stretchers and 2 Honda generators especially adapted for use at high altitude. The stretchers required for the Everest Marathon are left in Namche Bazaar for use by the local people and visiting trekkers.
The fund is administered by Diana Penny Sherpani and SleepMonsters Editor Rob Howard is one of the trustees. There is more information on the race website (click on the logo on the left), where you can support the runners currently in Nepal and the charitable fund by making a donation via the Just Giving web page.
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