In April 2018, Stephen Smith and Alex Mangan returned from completing The Everest Base Camp (EBC) Expedition.

The trek was an arduous but rewarding experience that pushed them to the limits of their endurance levels. There is only 50% oxygen at 17,500 ft.

Their time in The Himalayas was made possible by the help of their guide, Gokul, and it is his story we want to tell.

Gokul, like all Nepalise, is generous, helpful, friendly and humble but has no material trappings. In fact, whilst trekking to EBC we learnt of his terrible tragedy.

When Gokul was only 22 he lost his family home in the 2015 Earthquake. What’s more, his father, after being pulled from the ruins, stricken with emotion and pain at seeing their home turned to rubble suffered a nervous breakdown. The health system in Nepal is terribly basic and Gokul’s father perished soon after, suffering from a heart attack brought on by the stress of the realisation his family had nowhere to live. He was 44 when he died leaving Gokul to support his mother.

Presently, Gokul’s mother lives in a makeshift plastic and corrugated iron tent in terrible conditions.

In between guiding travellers through The Himalayas, Gokul returns home to help plant rice and potatoes to support his mother.

The cost to completely rebuild his family home is just £6,000.

Please consider what a small donation of just £5 (2 coffees) would make to someones life who has been stricken with losing their home and their father.

Even if you can consider donating a regular sum of only £2.50 per month, this would be a huge help towards our goal.

The two trustees of the funds are Alex Mangan and Stephen Smith. they will ensure any proceeds from this funding site are responsibly spent and accounted for. The funds will be 100% used to rebuild Gokul's family home. That is to say, no expenses will be taken to administer this cause.