An Evening of Nepalese Hospitality Raises Over £1,400 for Project Hospice Nepal

Members, friends and supporters came together on Saturday 13 June for a wonderful Nepalese-themed evening at Peopleton Village Hall, raising more than £1,400 in support of Project Hospice Nepal.

Guests enjoyed an evening of delicious food, friendship and fundraising while learning about an inspiring international Rotary project that will transform palliative care in Nepal.

The highlight of the evening was a fascinating presentation by Peter Maxwell of Hereford City Rotary Club, who explained the vision behind Project Hospice Nepal. Hospice Nepal was established 25 years ago and opened the country's first eight-bed hospice in 2005. Today it supports more than 200 patients each year through its home care programme, but demand for palliative care has increased dramatically, with referrals rising by 50% over the past five years.

To meet this growing need, Rotary clubs around the world—including Pershore and Hereford City—are working alongside healthcare professionals and supporters to build a modern 20–24 bed hospice in Kathmandu. The new facility will provide compassionate care for adults and children, while also offering healthcare training and expanding outreach services to rural communities.

The project, costing more than $2 million, is now in its final phase. Funds have already secured the land and financed the construction of the new building, which is nearing completion. The remaining $600,000 is needed to equip and furnish the hospice, enabling it to open its doors and provide vital care to patients and their families. The funds raised during our evening will make a meaningful contribution towards this important final stage.

Guests were treated to a delicious home-cooked supper of chicken korma, dahl, rice and freshly baked naan bread, expertly prepared by President Elect Mina and her Aunt Kate. The meal received many compliments and helped create a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the evening.

Fundraising continued with a raffle and a silent auction, featuring a copy of Sir David Attenborough's A Life on Our Planet and a signed photograph of Dame Joanna Lumley, a long-standing supporter of the Gurkhas. Congratulations to fellow Rotarian John Mansfield of Evesham Rotary Club, whose generous winning bid secured the David Attenborough book.

Event organiser Jan Crouch thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the evening. Special thanks were given to Mina and Aunt Kate for preparing the superb meal, Carole, Sylvia and Liz for selling raffle tickets, Peter for managing the technology and to everyone who donated prizes, attended the event and gave so generously.

The evening was a wonderful example of Rotary's commitment to international service, demonstrating how local fundraising can make a lasting difference to communities across the world.