Loomes of Stamford ​Assist in Relief Programs in Nepal
Loomes of Stamford are very proud to support two major charities in Nepal - The Mountain Trust and Gurkha Welfare Trust following the catastrophic earthquake in 2015.
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On the morning of the 25th April 2015, the district of Gorkha, in Nepal, was devastated by a 7.8 earthquake that killed more than 8,000 people, injured over 21,000 and displaced many times more. Homes became tents as the winter set in and the authorities struggled to cope.
At the time, a team of British Gurkhas and Nepali Sherpas were attempting to climb Mount Everest with loomes watches from Stamford to help raise funds for our work there. The team had reached Base Camp and Camp Two preparing for the ascent when the first quake struck. They were fortunate not to be hit by the avalanches that ensued. Their mission immediately changed from an expedition to the summit, to assisting in the relief effort.
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At the time, a team of British Gurkhas and Nepali Sherpas were attempting to climb Mount Everest with loomes watches from Stamford to help raise funds for our work there. The team had reached Base Camp and Camp Two preparing for the ascent when the first quake struck. They were fortunate not to be hit by the avalanches that ensued. Their mission immediately changed from an expedition to the summit, to assisting in the relief effort.
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Charles Malcolm-Brown ,Chairman of The Mountain Trust said : " I was delighted that a major British horologist – Robert Loomes - had come up with the idea that a British hand-built watch should be part of the expedition. This was following in a tradition of British watches taken to Everest. Sir Edmund Hillary who made the first Ascent with Sherpa Tensing was wearing a Smith Watch. The British Gurkha team wore hand-built watches with a similar movement, developed and tested for high altitudes and extreme temperatures by Robert and his team.
"Robert kindly agreed that one of the Everest watches would be auctioned to support our work in the Gorkha region. With the funds raised we have reconstructed schools and houses close to the epicentre and provided emergency assistance to homeless families.
"I am so pleased to be able to thank Robert, Robina and the Loomes & Co. team for their generosity and the combination of British craftsmanship along with the bravery of the British Gurkhas, Nepali Gurkhas and Sherpas has enabled us to help rebuild this community."
Adam Bentham of the Gurkha Welfare Trust said “We are so grateful to Loomes &Co. for their incredible support. The funds raised will make such a difference to those soldiers and families in Nepal.”
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Robina Hill, Managing Director of Loomes & Co. said : “Nepal is a truly unique country The Mountain Trust is doing so much good work to support the people and to develop the infrastructure there. We are proud to help their vital work. The Gurkha soldiers have an extraordinary calm and determination which you don’t find in any other British Army regiment."
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More information on The Mountain Trust
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