Historical relation between Char Bhanjyang and Swinfen Charitable Trust UK
By Hon Lt Chandra Gurung
Chairman CBTSUK
20th November 2009 was a remarkable day for Char Bhanjyang as the relation between Swinfen Charitable Trust UK and Char Bhanjyang Tamu Samaj UK began.
It was a great honour for me and my wife Bimla Gurung to be invited to the investiture ceremony in the Buckingham Palace on 20 November 2009 by Maj Hugh Bardell MBE (the senior executive adviser of Char Bhanjyang Area Development Project), where he was presented with the British Empire Medal by the HRH Prince of Wales. After the ceremony Lt Col Lynda Bardell (the medical adviser of Char Bhanjyang Centre for Health) gave us a surprise and took us to the House of Lords where Right Honorable Lord Roger and Lady Pat Swinfen MBE had hoisted a luncheon in honour of Maj Hugh Bardell’s achievement.
A historical picture that started the relationship with Lord, Lady Swinfen and the Swinfen Charitable Trust UK (from left to right) Lt Col Lynda Bardell, Maj HJ Bardell MBE, Lady Pat Swinfen MBE, Rt Hon Lord Roger Swinfen, Mrs Bimla Gurung and Hon Lt Chandra Gurung
Lord Roger and Lady Pat Swinfen received and took us to the lounge where we saw many dignitaries. It was my first time meeting the Lord and Lady Swinfen and hearing about the Swinfen Charitable Trust. During the luncheon, I was fascinated by the stories of the charity work the organisation had been doing to help the poor in the developing countries around the world. I felt that this was a coincident that I also shared the same values.
A conversation of concern arose over who was going to take part in the London Marathon to raise fund for the Swinfen charible turst. As soon as I heard this, I there and then volunteered to run the marathon without realising the many difficulties that come with running 26.2 miles (42km). The Lord and Lady thanked me and kindly accepted my offer to run the London marathon 2010 for Swinfen Charitable Trust UK.
I was overwhelmed with joy that I would be running in one of the top five marathons in the world where more then 40,000 runners take part raising more then £51 million for charities every year. I felt proud to accept a challenge which needs mental as well as physical fitness and good coordination to raise fund for the pretigious charity organisation Swinfen Charitable Trust UK that would go on to save many lives in poor countries.
I was a reasonably good runner but had never ran such a long distance. I started to plan and prepare my fitness training and fund raising programme from the next day. Without the proper training, training gear, diet and rest, it is virtually impossible to keep yourself fit enough to complete the run. It is also a very big commitment to raise fund as this requires a lot of persuading donors through the media, organising various activities and attending many community functions.
A start point of close relation with Swinfen Charitable trust UK and Hon Lt Chandra Gurung after finishing the London marathon (left). Families and friends for support (right)
After 5 months of hard work, the big day 25 April 2010, had arrived along with a cold shower of rain in the morning welcoming 37,000 runners from around the world. There was a moment of satisfaction I felt, taking part in this world famous event that surrounded such a wonderful atmosphere throughout the run. Despite my ankle injury during the run, I managed to complete the run in 4 hrs 30mins (thanks to the St John Ambulance) and raised £7,000 for the Swinfen Charitable Trust UK. I would like to thank my family, all sponsors, friends and relatives who supported me in this noble cause.
First Charity Dinner Night in Jan 2010 in Honour of Lord and Lady Swinfen that started a historical relation with Char Bhanjyang Community
After a successful education project, I was in search for the opportunity to establish a health clinic in Char Bhanjyang which the villagers were in desperate need for. The journey of the marathon had strengthened my relationship with Lord Roger and Lady Pat Swinfen and Ms Sharon Checksfield (administrative manager of Swinfen Charitable Trust UK) and I was able to approach them for help to build a Telemedicine clinic in my village. After a lot of consideration and consultation, we established a construction committee and agreed to build a small clinic. This project gave my committee another chance to learn about the Swinfen Charitable Trust UK. Perhaps, as the trust and understanding between us grew, the project was slowly modified and ended up to be a medium sized budget producing a magnificient clinic with work of excellence. It is not an ordinary clinic. It is a clinic that uses a Telemedicine Link which connects health specialists around the globe that 15,000 people from 9 Village Development Committees can take advantage of.
Their continuous support to underprivileged people in the remote hills has provided better health care and hope for the future. The villagers are always anticipating for their annual visit as they show so much love, care and compassion to the people of Char Bhanjyang, perhaps even more than the people of Char Bhanjyang. “Jai Swinfens and Char Bhanjyang”.
Right Honourable Lord Roger and Lady Pat Swinfen MBE, relaxing at Swinfen House on their last visit to Char Bhanjyang, Khalte, Parbat
