*PLEASE READ UPDATES AT END OF ORIGINAL MESSAGE*

Hello, I had travelled to Nepal during April 2015 and met many wonderful people, absolutely beautiful Himalaya peaks and trekked to the Everest base camp. 

I planned to visit one of projects by UK based Community Action Nepal, which is based in Cumbria, to deaf school in Bahrabise, near Kathmandu. But was unable to visit due to earthquake that took place at 11.55am on Saturday 25th April while I was in the city.

I was fortunate to have avoided injury during the quake, when rubble fell around me, ground moved forth and back several inches and cracked up beneath my feet, which was terrifying and I ran for safety. Also I had experience of many aftershocks, feared repeat of quake, which was quite unnerving. I have seen first hand the devastation that ruined many lives of Nepalese people, but worst hit are especially those in far flung rural areas where epicentre occurred. 

I returned to UK safely, but with mixed emotions having seen the scale of damage what earthquake can do, and I feel that CAN needs all the funds they can get to help rebuild projects in order to get the country back on its feet.

You can see CAN website www.canepal.org.uk on the next page. They are established organisation who have excellent track record of running projects in Nepal. 

Please give what you can. Many thanks. 

Regards, Mark 

*UPDATE 25/05/2015*

It is now exactly one month to the day I was caught up in the quake in Kathmandu, and I am touched by good response to the fundraising page, thank you to all who have donated. I still have some form of post traumatic reaction to the natural disaster, it will take some time to recover, which I feel fortunate to have survived and empathise with Nepalese people who have lost so much in their homeland. 

Let me reiterate the fact I am continuing to fundraise for Community Action Nepal, (I have increased the target today) who is doing a lot to help rebuild projects in Nepal, all the money raised goes to the charity and is directly channelled into their projects, you can check their website www.canepal.org.uk for information to see where the funds are going and what they're doing. It is a fact small charities are the backbone to help Nepal communities rebuild and move on from two devastating earthquakes in short space of time.

I am planning to take part in Cyclone marathon event in Northumberland on 20th June, riding 106 miles through the countryside roads. It will be a tough task, and would like to ask you to help such as asking your family and friends to help a worthy cause. I will post some pictures on this page (if you want to see me in my lyrca shorts!)  

Once again, many thanks for your time and please help to keep donations coming in!

*UPDATE 01/06/2015*

I received email from JustGiving, inform me that this page attained top 3% of all fundraisers during the month of May, that's out of over 65,800 individual fundraisers that is quite a feat...and it was all down to your donations that made it possible. Thank you very much.

*UPDATE 21/06/2015*

Here it is, I had taken part in the Virgin Cyclone Challenge bike event yesterday, tackling Ride C route around Northumberland. Rode from Ponteland to Rothbury, then via Otterburn, Bellingham, Wark and Stamfordham. There were several hills to ascend, that made me work hard. The distance was 106 miles and was toughest ride I ever had. At least I completed the circuit (and still had to ride home in Sunderland...) mission accomplished! Pictures uploaded below, have a look...thanks.

Further updates will be posted here. 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.