Pubgoers continue fundraising as builders start work on Nepal school

BUILDERS in Nepal have laid the foundations for a new school paid for by the fundraising efforts of Tyneside pubgoers.

For more than a year customers and staff at The Central in Gateshead and The Cluny in Ouseburn, Newcastle worked to collect £15,000 for the charity Pahar Trust Nepal.

And now the first stages of work are underway in the remote village of Mayum, in the foothills of the Himilayas.

Howard Green, chairman of Pahar Trust Nepal, paid tribute to the generous North East drinkers who had made the project possible.

“I want to personally thank all the customers and staff of the Central and the Cluny for their amazing dedication in making sure the funds have been raised to build this school for the seventy or so children of Mayum village,” he said.

“Another new school is being built in a town nearby, but that should be finished in March and then all attention will be directed to completing the new school in Mayum.”

Discussions are taking place with Gateshead council with a view to twinning a Gateshead school with the new school.

And pub-goers are renewing their efforts to help kit out the building.

“We are now fund-raising to cover the cost of all the furniture and a computer for the school” said Gavin Sinclair, manager of The Central. “Customers and staff are again excited about getting these funds raised as quickly as possible.