Keith Brook M.B.E - President

Keith retired from teaching at Birkdale School in 2017. He had been teaching Biology and Psychology at the school for 30 years. In 1998 he contacted a good friend of his, Mike Lock, who lives and works in Nepal and together they planned a school trip which took place in the summer of 2000 where 17 students from Sheffield taught in poor schools mainly in the Khokana area. Almost every year since there has been a trip to Nepal and he has lead most of them. In 2013 Keith was awarded an MBE for serv...

Steve Kenyon - Secretary

It is fair to say that our link with Nepal would probably not still be going without Steve’s drive and enthusiasm. It is this drive that has largely been responsible for the founding of the RNVNepal trust. Steve has lead 4 trips to Nepal and has been part of the leadership team no less than 16 times.

Dominic Heyes - Treasurer

Dominic attended Birkdale School from the age of 4, graduating from Newcastle University with a BSc in Accounting and Finance. Working in London as an accountant, he these skills in finance to the role of treasurer. Dominic has visited Nepal twice, once in 2014 and again in 2016 to assist with the crucial work done after the earthquake in 2015. It was during this time that Dominic’s passion for charity flourished, both for the work done in Nepal and Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Helen Frost - Events Coordinator

Helen graduated in 1988 with Bus/Fin, Marketing & Int' Marketing which led her into an early career across Retail (Administrator) Finance (Advisor) & Banking (Underwriter).
Married with two children she opted for a career break enjoying caring for her young family whilst selling books, painting, travelling and taking part in varied outdoor sports.
Her family embarked on an adventurous trip to Nepal in 2009 and a desire to help make a difference for the people there was instigated.
Helen has work...

Charlotte Kidd - Trustee

Charlotte studied at the University of Surrey and having graduated with a Masters in Medical Engineering is now a Junior Design and Development Engineer in Neurological Applications. In her free time, Charlotte enjoys playing the piano and the bassoon and is also a keen lacrosse player having captained the University team for two years running. She loves the outdoors and completed her Gold Duke of Edinburgh whilst at Birkdale and also qualified as an Assistant Leader in Girlguiding. Charlotte vi...

Simon Watchman - Trustee

Simon is a Teacher of Geography and Head of Outdoor Education at Birkdale School. Simon first became interested in education as a career in 2003, volunteering for the Karen Hilltribes Trust as an English language speaker, in northern Thailand for 6 months; delivering activities similar to those delivered by Birkdale sixth form students on their trip to Nepal, which Simon now leads. A passion for outdoor pursuits and travel that took Simon across a range of continents, including a career break ...

Tulsi Gyawali - Trustee

Tulsi has been intimately connected with the tourism sector of Nepal for the past three decades. He is the Managing Director of Nepal Sanctuary Treks which is involved in promoting adventure treks, mountaineering, cycling, rafting, jungle safaris and cultural tours in Nepal. Tulsi’s company has provided the adventure part of our annual trips to Nepal for very many years and they have looked after us really well. However, Tulsi also takes a great interest in all aspects of our visits to his count...

Peter Harris - Trustee

Peter was the Head Master of Birkdale School from January 2019 to May 2025. He now lives in Kenya. He previously taught Geography at the school from 1998-2008 and was fortunate enough to go on the inaugural trip to Nepal in August 2000. In the intervening years he became Vice Principal of Bournemouth Collegiate School and then Principal of Ewell Castle School in Surrey. During this time he brought pupils from both these schools on the regular Birkdale trips and has visited the country on six occ...

Jamie Hollings - Trustee

Jamie's journey with Nepal began at an early age, marked by a deep-rooted commitment to making a difference. From his days as a young lad in Junior School, Jamie has been a steadfast supporter of the Nepal cause, dedicating his time and efforts to raise funds for various projects. His passion for the cause has only grown stronger over the years, culminating in his current role as a vital member of the charity committee. In 2011, Jamie's dedication took him halfway around the world to Nepal, wher...

Laura Jellinek - Trustee

Laura has been on two trips to Nepal and has fully involved herself in helping with the medical work done each trip. During her association with the Nepal projects she has assisted the organising of fundraising activities and has independently undertaken sponsored walks and cycle rides to help raise money for our projects in Nepal.

Neil Robertson - Trustee

Neil has been to Nepal several times; he loves the country and its people and has organised and lead trekking groups to the Annapurna region. In 2016, one year on from two devastating earthquakes, he was on our annual trip to Nepal where his expertise as an engineer was in full evidence as he was able to assess damage to property including the Peace Garden School and assist with the repair of storm damage to another of the schools we support.

Maggie Cotton - Trustee

Maggie has been to Nepal with us no less than 5 times. She has raised huge amounts of money for the cause over the past 21 years including running several, hugely successful ‘One Off Shows’ in Dronfield. These sell out concerts have given local Dronfield talent the opportunity to show what they can do in front of large audiences at the Dronfield Civic Hall. Each concert has raised at least £2000.

Joy Tanner - Trustee

Has been one of our greatest supporters over the 21 years we have had links with Nepal. Her son, Ben, went on the first trip in 2000. Joy has raised lots of money, and has helped with most of the fund raising events that have taken place during this time. She has been to Nepal herself; Arjun, the Head Master of the Peace Garden School has named a classroom after her to show his gratitude for all her fundraising efforts.

Rob Keen - Trustee

Rob is now retired and lives with his wife Claire in Beauchief Sheffield. During his working life he was a Metallurgist in the steel industry before spending 35 years as a senior Instrumental Analyst at The University of Sheffield specialising in Chromatography and Mass Spectroscopy. He has been to Nepal twice on Birkdale trips where he fell in love with the people and the country. He is a leader at Greenhill Methodist Church and when not being involved there his major hobbies are sailing, speed...

Dr. Akul Purohit - Trustee

Akul visited Nepal as a member of the 2014 trip and loved the culture and the people in Nepal and has maintained a keen interest in all that has been done since he left school. Akul is a Junior Doctor working in Greater Manchester and loves playing football and the South-Asian sport of Kabaddi, something he would love to teach on the trips in the future.

Bejamin Bowles - Trustee

Ben currently leads Birkdale School as Head Master. Born in Rwanda and raised in Yorkshire, he pursued Engineering at the University of Oxford. Benjamin's dedication extends to serving in Kenya with A Rocha and teaching in Zambia at a local school.
His commitment to education and community development resonates deeply with our mission and values, enhancing our initiatives for positive change.
We are grateful for Benjamin's invaluable contributions and look forward to continuing our shared journe...