Our thoughts are with everyone who has lost their lives, loved ones, homes and livelihoods in the terrible tragedy in Nepal, as well as those across the border and the families of those who are still missing.

We're sure, like us, you will have been shocked and saddened by the horrific media coverage, with many people having only minutes to escape the wall of mud and debris. Sadly, reports from our contacts on the ground indicate that the situation is even more devastating and far reaching that what we are seeing on our screens.

Harrogate Brigantes Rotary has a long association with Nepal through our 'Changing Young Lives in Nepal' project, which we have run for many years with support from our trusted partner Rotary club in Kathmandu, The Himalayan Gurkhas. One of our key contacts out there, Major Lil Gurung MBE, was actually stationed with the Gurkhas at Catterick in Yorkshire in his youth.

A few years ago we even hosted a group of 40 Nepalese children right here in Harrogate, when we invited them to perform at our bi-annual Kid's Aloud concert at the Royal Hall. Some of you may have even been in the audience to witness this uplifting cultural exchange.

Nepal is therefore a country close to our hearts, with many Brigantes Rotarians having visited the country as volunteers, as can be seen in the photo gallery at the top of this page.

In 2015 we helped raise over £10,000 to support recovery efforts following the devastating earthquake in the country. This money, coupled with other funds raised by the club, enabled us to send a substantial donation to the Himalayan Gurkhas Rotary Club. Their volunteers then travelled the length and breadth of Nepal to find the projects that most answered the needs of the time. They ensured every penny of our money was spent wisely and reported back to us frequently.

The Himalayan Gurkhas have once again reached out to Brigantes to ask for our support. They are raising money to help with recovery from the recent catastrophic floods and we are committed to doing everything in our power to assist them in their efforts.

So today we ask if you will you join us in helping those most in need. Even a small donation to our Nepal Flood Disaster Appeal can make a big difference on the ground and we have set ourselves the ambitious target of beating our £10,000 fundraising record after the Nepal earthquake in 2015. Can you help us achieve this?

Further more, due to a generous legacy left to us by a friend of the club, every pound raised for our appeal, up to a total of £7,500, will be match funded. So your donation will go even further to helping those on the ground.

Photo credits: Charlotte Gale Photography