Inspired cubs raise cash for Nepalese (From Swindon Advertiser)

Inspired cubs raise cash for Nepalese

8:00pm Friday 21st November 2008 in

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PURTON cubs have been so inspired by tales of their Nepalese counterparts that they have decided to raise money to build a well in their village.

The idea came about when the eight to 10-year-olds met former cub scout Peter Shore, 77, from Bristol at their hut.

Mr Shore told them the tale of when he and wife Beryl were lost deep in the Chitwan jungle in Nepal while travelling in 1987.

The pair were facing a night of potential terror but luck was on their side in the form of a young boy scout called Hari Bhandary who led them to safety and gave them shelter for the night.

The following day they parted company but Hari, who refused any payment for his kindness and hospitality, had one simple request – that the couple kept in touch.

“The cubs were absolutely enthralled by his story,” said First Purton Cubs Arkaela Jan Fisher.

“They loved the idea that scouting seems to be universal and it was what brought Mr Shore and his wife to safety.”

In 1996 Hari wrote to the Shores about his dream of providing a medical centre for his village because his parents had tuberculosis and could not manage the 23km trek for free treatment.

Mr Shore returned 10 years after his ordeal in the jungle in 1997 to thank Hari by raising money to help build a medical centre there.

His campaign has seen more than 350 wells built in the region and he continues to drum up support for the Friendship Clinic: Nepal.

Now Purton cubs have decided to join in and have organised a sponsored litter pick in the village to raise cash for a new well.

“It will cost £250 to build a well, which is a lot for a group of little boys to achieve,” said Jan.

The group will be treated to a lunch of chapatis and dahl at the Maharaj Indian Restaurant in Purton after their morning of litter picking between 10am and noon on December 14.

For more information visit www.clinic-nepal.org.uk.