In 2009 Rob Gauntlett, our cousin and friend, tragically died whilst climbing in the Alpes. Rob was the youngest Briton to climb Mt. Everest & National Georagphic Adventurer of the year for the Pole to Pole (180 degrees) expedition.
We are rasing money in his memory, by walking the South Downs Way (~100 miles) in 4 days, raising money for the Henry Van Straubenzee memorial fund, a small non-governmental UK registered charity, which aims to lift Ugandan children out of poverty through education.
In Uganda, Nalango Secondary School has some very energetic teachers and students, but no facilities to speak of - just the place Rob would have enjoyed working. Where there was bare earth, Rob's fund has so far helped to build 5 classrooms and 8 latrines - but the school is growing, in quality and size, and more classrooms, water tanks, latrines, desks, teachers' houses are all needed. Work is being carried out through the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, set up themselves by parents after losing a young son, and who provide a brilliant example of good African development - passionate, efficient, consultative and with a long term involvement in each school and area. More information can be found at http://www.henryvanstraubenzeemf.org.uk/