Patrons and Trustees
Mel Gillies (1944 - 2010)
It is with deep sadness we tell you that a much loved member of the CAN family passed away in January.
Mel was introduced to the Himalaya through a trek in Nepal with Sense to raise funds in support of the deaf/blind. He was so taken by the country and the Nepalese that he wanted to become more involved and did so through joining the trustees of Community Action Nepal in 2000. For 10 years Mel gave his unstinting support to CAN, including producing superb posters of Everest and Makalu and display panels which have been well received at Travel Shows and Exhibitions and filming the opening of the Machhermo Porter Rescue Shelter on 10 October 2006.
It was no wonder his photographs and filming were good. Photography was both his passion and profession. Mel began taking pictures when he was eleven years old and was soon processing and printng his own photographs at home in Glasgow. His career included photography of the Clyde shipyard launches, time at London's Fleet Street and his own studio in Glasgow with good friend Sandy Wills. One particular client and location stuck in Mel's mind as his favourite..... his photography in the Carribean for Tennent Caledonian Breweries of 'the lager lovelies' featured on 1970s lager cans. These are now collectable icons!
Although not a Buddist, Mel gave his time and skill to help Samye Ling Tibetan Centre at Eskdalemuir with their photographic requirements. He seemed to relate to the Buddhist attitudes to life. Sherpas are said to take comfort in these situations, in the thought that the body is but a garment to put on and take off, lifetime after lifetime.
Doug Scott captured this in his appreciation of Mel at his funeral. "Mel really lived his life to the full through his photography, skiing and giving so much to all of us who have been lucky to count Mel as a friend - didn't he end most conversations with 'OK my friend, take care'. I am sure Mel, so perceptive and honest towards himself will cope as well as any of us with whatever it is that comes next."
Mel's friends included many Nepalese and staff at CAN Nepal, who took an instant shine to him. He is missed in Nepal as much as here in the UK.
Donations: Mel's friends are kindly co-ordinating donations, which will be used to continue Mel's work at Community Action Nepal.
Doug Scott, CBE - Founder & Operations Director
Doug Scott has a mountaineering track record that is second to none and includes the first British ascent of Everest, the first ascent of the mountain's South West Face and 40 first, or other major ascents in the Himalaya and Greater Ranges. He was born in Nottingham in 1941 and first started climbing at the age of 12 with the Boy Scouts – he was warned by his Scoutmaster, "Scott, don't cause any trouble" - that 'trouble' saw him to the top of Everest., before founding first Community Action Treks and then Community Action Nepal. Doug has a website at www.dougscottmountaineering.com
Sir Chris Bonington - Patron
Chris Bonington is one of the world's most famous mountaineers. He was born in 1934 in Hampstead and grew up in London. His early career was spent in the army and after training at Sandhurst he joined the Royal Tank Regiment. By this time he had already discovered his love for mountains and as young officer started climbing very seriously in the Alps and then the Himalaya. In 1975 he lead the famous expedition that made the first ascent of the Everest's South West Face - which saw Doug Scott and Dougal Haston become the first Britons to reach the summit.. He has since explored mountains, oceans, and remote areas around the world. In 1985 he achieved a life time ambition and he reached the summit of Everest. He knows the Nepal very well, and has huge admiration for the hardy and generous mountain people. He was awarded the CBE in 1975 and knighted in 1985. We are delighted to have Chris as our patron. Chris has a website at www.bonington.com
Paul Braithwaite
Appointed CAN trustee 2006, Paul has extensive climbing & mountaineering in the UK & Alps, plus world wide expeditions to the Himalaya, South America & Alaska, including the South Face Everest expedition 1975. He is managing director of Vertical Access Ltd. and currently the President of the Alpine Club and Trustee of the Mountain Heritage Trust.
Jeff Frew
Jeff has worked as a community development worker in the social justice and equality field of the charity sector for over 20 years. He has been active in outdoor pursuits, mainly as a climber and mountaineer since he was a young lad in the early seventies. With his wife Jenny and daughter Ailsa he runs a small organic smallholding in the wild moors and mountains of Lesmahagow in Scotland. Jeff dedicates much of his time, energy and passion to the self determination and sustainability ethos of Community Action Nepal. He is also a co.Director with Doug Scott and trek leader of the sister organisation Community Action Treks. His philosophy in life is simple and Confucian (not confusing!): "To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice." (551-478 BC)
Bachan Gyawali
Appointed CAN trustee 2003. He lives in Kathmandu and is involved with various businesses in Nepal, and is therefore of great help to CAN and CAT as a local contact.
He originally met Doug Scott, (when Doug climbed on Makalu in 1984), and Terry Mooney, through his friendship with the late David Oswin.
Leo Holding
At 28, Leo is probably Britain’s best-known professional rock climber. A world-renowned free climber, speed climber and base jumper, he has climbed Everest as well as highly technical peaks in Patagonia and around the world. A full time professional at the fore-front of big wall free climbing and para-alpinism, he has made many historic ascents in Yosemite including virtual onsights of El Capitan and free climbing El Capitan and Half Dome in one day (one of only 3 people ever to achieve this mammoth feat) .He famously speed climbed and base jumped his way to victory in a race against Jeremy Clarkson for the BBC’s Top Gear, and has hosted his own adventure TV show “Take me to the Edge” and starred in the soon to be released movie “The Wildest Dream” about Mallory & Irivnes ill fated 1924 Everest expedition.
Philip Hopkinson
Appointed CAN trustee December 1997. He has enjoyed climbing in various parts of the world all his adult life. He visits Nepal whenever time away from his painting allows. His love of nature and the environment is reflected in his art.
Dr Rob Lorge
Appointed CAN trustee Summer 2002. Rob spent a six month sabbatical working at CAN Health Posts in Ghunsa, Kutumsang and Ghyamrang. He has given fundraising lectures about CAN's work and he continues to offer sage advice on all matters medical.
He scrutinises all medically related volunteer application forms submitted by people wishing to work in Nepal for CAN.
Dr Mary Selby
Dr Mary Selby is a GP in Clare, Suffolk a
nd has been visiting Nepal since joining a CAT trek in 2000. She fell in love with the country and its people and has been increasingly involved with CAN since then, helping to organise the CAN charity treks in 2006. Mary is a keen trekker and climber, a church organist, a mother of six and author of several books. She is also a GP teacher and trainer of other GPs and nurses, and hopes to use these skills to help CAN. She remains ashamed of her incredibly poor language skills in Nepali and Tibetan and is doing her best to improve!