ANNE Eckford as host for the evening welcomed everyone, in particular group member Ann Cornelius who has now taken on the role of programme secretary from Sue Wilcox. Anne then welcomed guest speaker John Shackleton who gave the group an update on his latest humanitarian trip delivering a fully equipped ambulance to Nepal. This was a long journey fraught with difficulties as he and Alan Richardson with their two Gurkha minders travelled in the ambulance through Calcutta and on into Nepal - somet
He showed many poignant photographs including the distribution of donated blankets and hats to the very poor people in Calcutta who were dressed in rags and have nothing. Another of a woman grinding her own flour with a wooden pole, a barber working
on the road alongside the rubbish, and another of volunteer doctors administering help to children whose injuries had become infected on the long walk to find medical aid. Hygiene is non existent and thousands die from contaminated water and fumes from wood fires.
Despite the difficulties encountered on this journey, many poor people in Nepal have now been helped through his efforts. His latest challenge is a 40 foot bus which has been donated with the intention of converting it into an eye clinic and taking it to Bangladesh.
Ann Cornelius thanked John on behalf of the group for his fascinating story and a collection was made towards John's next project.
The next meeting is on Tuesday, May 6 at 7.30pm at the Elmwood Day Care Unit, Harrogate District Hospital. The speaker is physiotherapist Sue Staincliffe on Feet First Physiotherapy for Problem Backs. Admission £1 including refreshments and raffle. More info on back care from www.care4backs.com/harrogate.htm
The full article contains 291 words and appears in Harrogate Advertiser newspaper.
