Nepal earthquake appeal in Grantham has raised £3,500 so far

An amazing £3,500 has been donated by people in Grantham to help those affected by the devastating earthquake in Nepal.

The town’s Rotary clubs united to organise a collection in Grantham town centre, following the devastating quake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale which struck on April 25 and has killed at least 8,400 people.

Among those who lost their lives was 14-year-old Ram, the nephew of head chef at Grantham’s The Everest Inn, Dev Banda.

On Saturday alone more than £2,293 was collected by Everest staff and Rotary club members, before another collection in Asda saw £750 donated. A charity night at The Everest Inn raised a further £795, with another planned on May 19, when half of the proceeds will go to Nepal and half to dementia care. Tickets are £25 including a drink upon arrival, and can be obtained at The Everest Inn on Westgate.

Dev has thanked everyone for their support of those affected by the disaster, which saw his home village of Baseri destroyed, as was fellow chef Pradeep Simkhada’s village of Gumdi. Head waiter, Sunjay Thapa lost his recently married childhood friend, who was killed with his wife.

Of the fund-raising, Everest’s Raju Giri said: “I am really amazed at the generosity shown by the people of Grantham. I know Britain’s always been generous with international aid but this was different. I could actually feel the empathy and felt how concerned the people were when they asked if everything was alright back home. We get calls at the restaurant asking us about the well-being of our family and friends in Nepal.

“I am really grateful to Roger Graves and our friends at the Rotary clubs in the town who have made this their cause, and so far collectively, along with the donations at the restaurant and Monday’s income, raised around £3,500. Our heartfelt gratitude from the whole team at Everest Inn Grantham.”

Meanwhile a charity raffle is still taking place to win a metal bench, created especially by Grantham business Roll and Scroll, with £1 raffle tickets available at Rumours in the Market Place and Fellows in Westgate, up until the draw on May 19. All money raised will be given to Gurkha Square, where staff have also seen loved ones caught up in the quake, to send to Nepal.

Donations can also be made at the Rotary justgiving page at tinyurl.com/ooebdxo

Alternatively call the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Nepal Earthquake Appeal on 0370 60 60 900.