Hospital staff in fundraising call for Nepal

A team of staff working at Epsom and St Helier hospitals have begun fundraising for their loved ones affected by the devastating earthquake in Nepal, and are urging their colleagues and local people to donate money if they can.

Since the earthquake struck just before noon on 25 April, more than 7,500 people have died and 14,500 have been injured. The disaster, which was the biggest to hit the country since 1934, has prompted staff at the hospital to begin fundraising campaigns.

Gita Gurung, a Cleaning Services Assistant who has worked for the Trust for two years, is originally from Kathmandu and still has family in the area. She explained: “It is really frightening. When I heard the news, I tried and tried to get through to my family but all of their mobile phones were off. I rang the landline at my mum’s house, but it just rang and rang. I sat there for hours just trying to get through. Nobody could give me answers, and I didn’t hear anything from my family for 48 hours. My relatives, luckily, are all fine, but people are really hurting and have lost so much. Their families, their homes – some people have lost everything.”

Surya Limbu, also from Nepal, said: “The situation is very serious. There’s no clean water, no electricity and I’m afraid it’s just getting worse. As time goes on, there’s more chance of diseases spreading. My family were lucky – my husband had just come back from visiting Nepal when the earthquake happened. It is horrible.”

Dr Serafini raised £280 with a cake sale Anaesthetist in maternity, Franca Serafini, is also supporting the cause and has raised more than £280 with a cake sale (with more planned for next week). She said: “One of my very good friends lives in Nepal, and I have visited the country a couple of times. I feel very passionately about it – the people of Nepal are in a dire situation, and I wanted to do something that could help them recover from this disaster. They need funds for healthcare and shelter, so every penny will help.”

Franca is supporting Community Action Nepal. You can find out more at: www.canepal.org.uk.

Gita and Surya will be selling Nepalese delicacies in the restaurant at St Helier on Wednesday 13 May from 12 – 2pm. All funds with go to the South London Nepalese (Gurkha) Association.

You can find out more about the South London Nepalese (Gurkha) Association at www.slnga.com or call the Chairman Nur Thapa on 07411 132 957. You can also donate at www.dec.org.uk or www.redcross.org.uk.