Our fantastic fundraisers help us to change people's lives. People like Pak Arn, a 14 year old boy from an isolated rural village in Kampot province, where he lives with his parents, four brothers and two sisters.
When he was just six months old Arn contracted polio, paralysing both his legs. While he has never been able to stand up, Arn quickly learnt to crawl on his hands and feet.
Three years ago, despite the family's poverty, his parents decided it was important for Arn to go to school with his older brothers. Yet the family struggled to cover the cost of a school uniform, pencils and books each year. The family owns no land, so Arn's father Ean earns money by travelling into the forest to cut bamboo and make baskets, which he sells for 50 cents a piece. Once a year Ean is able to earn US$1.25 per day for a few weeks, planting rice for wealthier families.
Last year Sarom, a Cambodia Trust community development worker, visited Arn's village and met his family. Arn was a keen student in Grade Two. Each morning he would leave home at 6am to crawl the 1.5 kilometres to school, returning home again at midday when school finished. It was a particularly exhausting journey in the wet season, when he had to crawl through mud.
Sarom referred Arn to the Cambodia Trust rehabilitation centre in Kompong Som, three hours away, where he was assessed by a physiotherapist and prosthetist. They provided Arn with a tricycle wheelchair and are now making him orthotics (braces), which allow Arn to walk short distances with crutches for the first time. We have also assisted the family with the cost of a school uniform and books, to ensure he will be able to continue his education.
Today, Arn is in Grade Three and his favourite subject is mathematics. “I am so happy that the Cambodia Trust gave me a tricycle so that I can get to school easily, and visit my friends,” he said. “I want to stay at school until Grade Ten, then become a motorbike mechanic.
If you would like to raise funds for our work, please contact Dee Bellamy for a copy of our Fundraising Pack, which has lots of great ideas to help you get started!
Welcome to the first Cambodia Trust Fundraising Awards - recognising the remarkable individuals and groups who have made such amazing contributions to our work in 2006!
Most Raised (UK): Fiona Callanan & Sarah Spinney
Fiona & Sarah raised an amazing £19,790 by cycling from Vietnam to Cambodia in November 2006.
On 26 December 2004 Fiona was hit by the Asian tsunami which killed over 300,000 people and devastated South East Asia. Fiona was severely injured in the disaster and subsequently lost her right leg. However she was lucky enough to have access to excellent prosthetic services and medical care which enabled her to return to a normal life.
Fiona and Sarah were inspired to take on the 500km cycling challenge to raise money to provide support and rehabilitation for amputees in Asia.
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Most Raised (fundraisers outside the UK): Mark Inglis, New Zealand
Mark is the first double amputee to reach the summit of Mount Everest, raising a staggering $62,000 New Zealand dollars on the way, plus £1,050 from UK sponsors (just under $3,000 New Zealand dollars), in support of our Kompong Chhnang rehabilitation centre.
Mark has been a fantastic supporter of our work for many years and we are honoured that he chose our centre in Kompong Chhnang to benefit from his remarkable climb.
Find out more about Mark and his journey on www.legsoneverest.com
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Most Raised, female: Jenny Crisp
Jenny collected £2,530 in memory of Toby Tweddell who was tragically killed in a car accident.
RUNNERS UP:
Elizabeth Birkby - who held singing recitals and gave talks on Cambodia, raising £2,330.
Catherine Holland - who ran the World Medical Half Marathon in Italy, collecting £811 in sponsorship.
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Most Raised, male: Sanjeet Maghera
Sanjeet collected £3,008 from his sponsored cycle ride from Vietnam to Cambodia - which he completed despite breaking his shoulder en route! Sanj is pictured on the left with friend Stephan Groves (see below) - check out the photos of their journey - which included a visit to our rehabilitation centre in Phnom Penh.
RUNNERS UP:
Stephan Groves (above right) - who cycled with Sanjeet, collecting £2,858.
Chris Moon MBE - who also cycled across Cambodia this year. Chris' sponsors contributed £2,432.
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Most Raised by a group: Ken Finn & friends
Ken and his talented friends have raised £5,958 this year by holding a series of uplifting music events. Performers in 2006 included The Juxtachrome, Mr Finn, Shona Foster & Matt Gest, Turning Green, The Endorphins, The Hat, Hecter, Vocal Explosion, This Beautiful World, Just the 3 of Us, Sam the Muel, Noel LeBon, Hector, Karen Hurley, Mellisa Heathcote and guests. Find out more and book your place at Ken's next event, at www.benefit-culture.com
RUNNERS UP:
Lucy Poulter & friends - with £3,351 collected from a fancy dress hike at Ingleborough Falls, North Yorkshire, in memory of their dear friend Joanna Stillwell, who was killed in a tragic accident whilst on holiday in Malaysia.
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Lifetime achievement award: Peter Cork
At 80 years old, composer Peter Cork is our most mature fundraiser! Peter has supported our work for many years and in many ways, including holding collections for his 80th birthday and writing to fellow supporters to encourage them to remember the Cambodia Trust in their wills.
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Fundraiser of the future: Freyah Bushnell
At just 10 years old, Freyah is our youngest volunteer. This year she helped promote the Cambodia Trust and our BBC TV Lifeline appeal at her school, helping to raise interest in our work.
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Awareness-raising award: Rachel Bellamy
Rachel, aged 12, volunteered to help us publicise our BBC TV Lifeline Appeal, broadcast in September.
Rachel stuffed hundreds of envelopes and delivered postcards to almost every home in Thame (where our UK head office is), to encourage people to watch the appeal.
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Arts & Crafts award: Alice Leahy
Alice knits and sells dolls in aid of the Cambodia Trust, raising £400 this year.
RUNNER UP:
Shirley Strong - who raised £305 from making and selling dreamcatchers.
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Corporate fundraiser: Travel Indochina
Travel Indochina contributed £600 through promoting a tour of Cambodia to our supporters, and raised awareness of our work.
RUNNERS UP:
Bank of Nova Scotia - employees collected £505.
Maxim Power Tools - staff raised £350.
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School or college: Worcester College, Oxford
The students at Worcester College raised £340.
RUNNERS UP:
Nottingham High School For Girls - £320
Dartford Grammar School for Girls - £302
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On behalf of our staff at our three rehabilitation centres, and all the disadvantaged disabled men, women and children who have benefited directly from your commitment and generosity - THANK YOU. Your support has made a vital contribution to our work and helped hundreds of disabled people to break the cycle of poverty.
UK: The Cambodia Trust, C4 Station Yard, Thame, OX9 3UH, UK |
UK Registered Charity No. 1032476 |
Tel: +44 1844 214 844
email: office@cambodiatrust.org.uk | A Ltd. company reg in the UK No. 2807200 | © 2005 The Cambodia Trust
Cambodia: PO Box 122, Calmette Hospital, Preah Monivong Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Tel: +855 23 427 067/23 426 380
email: admin@cambodiatrust.org.kh
