Himalayan Expedition 2009
Himalayan Expedition 2009

Nepal & Himalayan Fundraising Ball

The Nepal and Himalayan fundraising ball held at Elland Road on Saturday 6th June, organised by the Himalayan Expedition 2009 team, has raised over £15,000. The ball was held in support of the Expedition and its plans to support the Kathmandu-based community project - the Self Help Group for Cerebral Palsy (SGCP). 

350 guests joined the team of 22 Leeds Met staff and students on the Expedition team to enjoy an entertainment packed evening. Guests were greeted with a champagne reception before a short presentation about the community project and the team's training programme and a four course dinner.  

After dinner, guests took part in a fundraising auction which offered a fabulous range of prizes including a trip for 2 to St Moritz to join the GB bobsleigh team on the Olympic bobsleigh run, a place on Expedition and a host of sporting, holiday and leisure prizes donated by the team's supporters. 

Guests included Leeds United goalkeeper Casper Ankergren who got guests up on their feet for a fun round of heads and tails, the first Briton to summit all the world's peaks over 8,000M Alan Hinkes, GB Kayak canoe champion Claire O'Hara and Leeds Carnegie's Steve Nance and Andy Key. 

Manchester-based band The Twisters and DJ Paul Cox kept guests dancing until the early hours of Sunday morning. One of the Expedition's sponsors, Project it, provided an impressive stage set, recreating Everest at the venue, complete with a pitched tent, rocks, snow and ice effects. 

Head of fundraising for the Expedition Chris Hudson said: "It was a fantastic night for the team and their guests. The generous backing we received from supporters and sponsors on the night was a terrific boost for the Expedition team and we are extremely grateful for all those that came to show their support." 

Dave Bunting MBE, leader of the Expedition who hosted the evening added: "As well as improving levels of fitness for their trek to Everest Base Camp in October 2009, the team has to meet an immense challenge on the fundraising front to make this Expedition a success and to support the SGCP. The success of Saturday night brings us another step closer to achieving the team's objectives and we are looking forward to the next events to maintain this momentum."