Yorkshire fundraisers got a fitting send-off in June when a piper from the York-based Gurkha regiment led them on their 15 mile trek from stately home Castle Howard.  But even before that, the second annual Harrison Trek for Children in Nepal had attracted headlines, and the support of Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu and Gurkhas’ heroine Joanna Lumley.

This year’s Harrison trek for children in Nepal, promoted by The Partners Group, drew over 350 walkers, almost double last year’s total.  The event has raised more than £10,000 to help children in one of the world’s poorest countries.

Filming commitments prevented Joanna Lumley from joining the trekkers, but she sent her warmest support.  In a personal message to trek organiser Colin Culley, of UK charity New Futures Nepal, she said: “I wholeheartedly support the wonderful work the charity does with the orphans of Nepal, a country and people so close to my own heart due to my family’s life-long connection with the Gurkhas.  I shall cheer every step taken by every generous walker; the practical and the morale-boosting help that those energetic souls will be giving is immeasurable.  Send them my love and regrets that I can’t be with them.”

It is the second year that S Harrison Developments Ltd has sponsored the successful event.