The clock is ticking on the #BMC4Nepal charity auction
- Friday 3rd July 2015
Fancy tea with Michael Palin or owning a piece of Everest?
Mountaineers urge “Dig deep and bid high” to help the mountain people of Nepal
Famous faces, big name brands and world-renowned mountaineers are donating their time and expertise as well as personal treasures to help raise funds for the earthquake relief effort in Nepal.
All 78 auction lots are now live in the #BMC4Nepal online charity auction – an exciting once-in-a-lifetime auction led by the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) with support from the Alpine Club, in partnership with eBay.
NOW LIVE: Check out all the items on eBay! by clicking here
There are only two days left to bid on key items in batch 1 of the auction until they are going, going, gone on the evening of Sunday 5 July. Feel ‘on top of the world’ by bidding for Mount Everest summit rock (specimen from the highest exposed outcrop in the world at approx. 8840m), collected for scientific purposes by British mountain guide Kenton Cool on his record breaking 7th ascent of the mountain with Sherpa Dorje Gelygen in 2009.
39 more items have only just gone live and are open to bidding until the hammer goes down on the evening of Sunday 12 July.
The prize lots up for grabs range from unforgettable days out including afternoon tea with Michael Palin CBE to a Lakeland fell walk with mountaineers Sir Chris Bonington and Doug Scott CBE to books, artwork and memorabilia including a signed photo of Ab Fab star and Gurkha campaigner Joanna Lumley and a rare collection of butterflies collected on the successful 1953 Everest expedition.
Michael Palin CBE said: “Having travelled in Nepal and been enchanted by the country and its people, I want to do my bit to help repay them for all their hospitality. This could be among the most useful cups of tea I’ve ever had.”
Some of the lots - Clockwise: Tea with Michael Palin (Photo (c) John Swannell), Everest butterfly collection, Pete Boardman's boots, kit worn by Leo Houlding on Ulvetanna Peak, Antarctica, James Hart-Dyke painting, Joanna Lumley signed photo, Hillary Step framed picture signed by Bonington and Scott
BMC patrons and former Alpine Club presidents, Sir Chris Bonington and Doug Scott CBE joined climber Leo Houlding and BMC president Rehan Siddiqui to record a #BMC4Nepal video message to encourage everyone to get behind the auction. They said: “We’re all mountaineers helping the mountain people of Nepal. It’s an online auction so we don’t have a hammer, but we do have an ice axe! So please dig deep and bid high. Make mountaineering history and help us, help the people of Nepal.” Watch the video below:
BMC Nepal Charity Auction Promo #BMC4NEPAL
Kenton Cool will be taking one lucky winning bidder for a walk/climb and dinner in the British mountains. Or fancy learning the ropes with one of Britain’s best climbers? You can bid for a climbing session with top climbers Shauna Coxsey, Hazel Findlay, and Steve McClure or former Alpine Club president Mick Fowler. Be quick not to miss out!
Why not put in an offer for your very own piece of mountaineering history? You could win key equipment like Stephen Venables’ crampons and Pete Boardman’s boots worn on Everest expeditions as well some of the very latest kit from top outdoor brands and unique artwork.
The Alpine Club, whose members have shaped climbing in Nepal since it was first opened to westerners 66 years ago, is supporting this venture and its members have generously donated some valuable items of remarkable significance. These include:
- 1953 Everest expedition team member Mike Westmacott’s collection of moths and butterflies collected during the 1953 Everest expedition
- Everest 1953 silver engraved cigarette box
- Himalayan paintings by James Hart-Dyke and Julian Cooper
This is an opportunity for people to collect a piece of British exploration history which would never normally come up for public sale, at the same time as helping a great cause.
Proceeds from the auction will go to Community Action Nepal (CAN), providing long-term support to the mountain people of Nepal. CAN is a UK based charity whose aim is to help the mountain people of Nepal through operating medical posts, schools and mountain porter rescue shelters. The charity was founded by Doug Scott CBE, who in 1975 made the first British ascent of Everest. Many of the mountain communities in which CAN’s 40+ projects are based have been devastated or displaced by the earthquake.
Proceeds from selected items, including top of the range gear from Sherpa Adventure Gear, will go to help the Paldorje Sherpa Education Fund to provide immediate relief on the ground to benefit the children of Sherpa families in remote villages.
The auction is the brainchild of new BMC president Rehan Siddiqui who said:
“Support for the Nepalese people is particularly strong amongst the mountaineering, climbing, trekking and other outdoor activities community, who have long held a deep regard for this region and its wonderful inhabitants.
“It’s now two months since the catastrophe in Nepal shocked and saddened the world, and the immediate attention of media has moved away from the earthquake in Nepal.
“It is important that we refocus the media's attention on the problems of the Nepalese people and we hope that international interest in this auction will generate substantial funds for the charities.”
Anna Lawford of the Alpine Club said: “Alpine Club members are keen to support this auction for Nepal. Since exploration, climbing and trekking have been the main reason British people visit Nepal, we believe that the mountaineering community in Britain should be leading fundraising efforts to raise money for rebuilding Nepalese communities.”
HOW: to get involved in the auction
The #BMC4Nepal auction is being held on eBay in a series of two batches. Check out all the items on eBay!
Batch 1: Sunday 28 June to Sunday 5 July
Batch 2: Thursday 2 July to Sunday 12 July
We’re regularly updating our Facebook and Twitter with all the items, so follow us now to make sure that you don’t miss out.
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Why help CAN help Nepal?
Community Action Nepal has been working with remote mountain communities in Nepal for 20 years – building and running rural health posts (13), schools (8), porter welfare shelters (3) and community projects. CAN is a highly respected NGO and INGO amongst both local Nepali communities and the Nepalese Government Agencies.
Read about CAN's response to the earthquake by clicking here.