LMF Newsletter Edition 4

Newsletter Edition 4
Supporting people on your doorstep & across the globe
As another year passes, it’s important that as a
Foundation we look back on all that has been
achieved and build a vision for the future. Never
far from our mind is the fact that we would
not exist without our supporters, who give so
generously.
This newsletter gives you a peek at how our year unfolded
and what we managed to do for those around us both near
and far with your support and generosity.
2015 was a year full of reflections as we marked the 10th
anniversary of my daughter Lisa’s passing and the thousands
of others who lost their lives in the Boxing Day Tsunami of
2004. Memories of Lisa are as vivid today as they have ever
been and my family and I are comforted by the uplifting
memories being created by the work we do in her memory
through LMF.
We cannot forget of course that 2015 was, as her Majesty
the Queen herself would put it, another ‘Annus Horribilis’,
as we heard and saw another tale of horror and destruction
unleash itself on the good people of Nepal. The country
suffered its own wave of personal disaster which took the
form of a number of terrible earthquakes.
The least we could do was offer the expertise, we have in this
area, to those that needed us most, in their hour of need.
So together with loyal supporters and local businessman Dr
Kapil Rijal, a Nepalese dentist, we formed a team to provide
immediate support and a direct route to the epicentre where
the need was greatest.
Again with quick response to the problem and help from
many local and wider communities, here and abroad, our
small Foundation grew arms that reached to support others.
Over £108,000 to date has been raised, thanks to so many
people, who helped spread the word and provide not just
money but supplies, skills and courage, that allowed us to
be instrumental in getting a team of 21 doctors and nurses
on the ground almost immediately.
Dr Rijal led the project from day one and is focused to do
much more. Please read the full report on page two and
three; there is more we must do. Once the media moves on
people all too quickly forget that help is still needed
long after the camera
crews pack up. Our
Nepal Appeal continues
and we would welcome
funds to help the country
back on its feet.
While working almost
flat out and sometimes
through the night on the
Nepal appeal we also
tried to keep abreast of
the needs of our Local
Heroes, the three small
charities we have taken
under our wing for the
last few years.
You can read more about their achievements and needs
throughout the newsletter, as we once again try to bring you
a brief review of how we have helped those around us near
and far.
Please share our efforts with those around you, as we
are inundated with requests for support from our chosen
charities as well as new ones struggling to make ends meet.
These organisations do some truly amazing and vital work
in our communities with compassion, enthusiasm and with
little personal financial reward.
Please continue to work with LMF to inspire others through
thick and thin. We will serve you well and need you on the
team.
I leave with another quote from Her Majesty The Queen
“I know of no single formula for success. But over the years
I have observed that some attributes of leadership are
universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging
people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights,
their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.” We
will continue to strive to do this.
Many Thanks
T: 01276 472000 W: lisamayfoundation.org E: Cheryl@lisamayfoundation.org
Registered Charity 1108763

Nepal Earthquake
Appeal 2015
Immediately after hearing the news Dr Kapil Rijal led a
team of 17 doctors, 1 nurse and 3 additional volunteers
from the UK plus one additional doctor from Norway
to provide immediate medical and humanitarian
relief aid. They reached 15 remote villages of the
Sindhupalchowk and Gorka districts.
Our “Team 21 + 1” set up several medical camps
and treated over 1,000 patients in acute and chronic
conditions. Post Traumatic stress was common amongst
the survivors.
As well as the medical support “Team 21 + 1” delivered
food and shelter along the way.
• 900 Tarpaulin Shelters
• 150 Sleeping Bags
• 100 Tents
• 300 Kilos of high energy bars
• 400 LED Torches
• Hi Visibility Jackets & Gloves
• 7000 Water purification tablets
• 75 Water purifying drinking bottles
• 1,250 survival food boxes -Containing food
for a week and blankets
In addition to this the team’s reassurance and
counselling gave hope to those who had survived, but
now needed to rebuild their devastated lives. Having
witnessed first hand the horrendous conditions, Dr
Rijal pulled together a strategic 3 phase relief plan.
Phase 1 Team 21 + 1 flew out and travelled to remote
locations to deliver immediate medical aid, emergency
supplies and counselling support.
Phase 2 155 new strong shelter homes were designed,
transported and built in Ranchowk to protect people
from the monsoon season.
Phase 3 To supply and build nine school halls with
running water and toilet facilities. Each school will also
receive an educational box containing vital supplies to
run the school for one year.
The team would like to sincerely acknowledge the
invaluable support from The Lisa May Foundation
in collaboration with HexN, and the overwhelming
Earthquake Appeal
Progress Report
On Saturday 25th of April 2015, Nepal was struck by a devastating
earthquake measuring 7.8 magnitude, which was the first of
several other earthquakes and aftershocks that had tragic effects on
the lives of the people of Nepal.
generosity and kindness extended by NDA (UK), MSG
Group, The Michael & Phyllis Goldberg Trust, several
NHS Hospital trusts, schools, colleges, local businesses
and individuals from the wider UK community. They
would also like to thank the BCCUK who sponsored
the airfares to Nepal.
Our “Team 21 + 1” has been truly inspiring and
selfless in giving their time and skills. Our thanks to;
1. Dr Kapil Rijal
2. Dr Amrita Gurung
3. Dr Aashish Shah
4. Dr Laxman Thapa
5. Dr Sudarshan Gurung
6. Dr Reskaji Gurung
7. Dr Reena Rana
8. Dr Rajib Maharjan
9. Dr Amrit Gurung
10. Dr Bibeg Gurung
11. Dr Lal Gurung
12. Dr Milan Gurung
13. Dr Bhichhyan Rai
14. Dr Ruchi Thapa
15. Dr Khusi Man Gurung
16. Dr Anjana Dongol
17. Dr Savin Patel
18. Ms Punima Gurung
19. Mr Saroj Koirala
20. Mr Rajendra Shrestha
21. Mr Sapan Rai
22. Dr Pralaya Rijal ( Norway)
Many people have been busy doing what they can to
help the people of Nepal both here in the UK and on
the ground in Nepal. The Foundation and Dr Rijal hope
that by sharing just a few of the pictures taken during
the trip you will see what the people of Nepal had to
face. You can also see the relief and joy that the aid
you helped deliver gave to them.
There are also some pictures on our Memorable
Moments page of events held here in the UK to
support Nepal, from village stalls, to bucket collections
and dinners. We cannot thank people enough for their
amazing support. Please don’t stop; we can do so
much more together.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/EarthquakeAppeal
Our Team 21 leaving the U.K.
Immediate aid reached remote villages
Shelter homes funded by your donations
To date over £108,000 has been raised and Nepal is getting back on its feet
thanks to your support. But there is still more to do
The Lisa May Foundation 2 3
January 2016

The ‘powerful’ power tool company.
This is the story of one local company
that used all the tools in the box to
build a solid foundation to support
LMF, their chosen charity of the year
2015.
With just over 100 employees on site at their HQ in
Camberley, STIHL invited their staff to put forward
a local charity that they felt passionate about
supporting. Staff made their choices and worked
with their charities to come up with a presentation
that could win the hearts of the business.
LMF were chosen by Jo Barton-Taylor from the
Marketing Department. Jo had already seen the
charity at work, when she attended a charity curry
night and felt the local and global reach would
tick all the boxes for STIHL, who have their own
global reaches. She did her research and met with
Cheryl a number of times to learn more about the
Foundation. The combined effort of this dynamic
duo produced a winning presentation delivered by
the passionate and persuasive Jo who packed a
powerful punch to win over the company’s support.
The next 12 months involved several meetings to
brainstorm ideas and carefully plan the right events
at the right times to get the staff’s full support while
‘STIHL’ enabling them to balance their busy day
jobs.
Having come to know STIHL it’s clear that they are
a close knit, focused family firm that pulls together
to become one big powerful force.
In 2015 the generous staff supported nine fun filled
activities and raised an astonishing £12,987.44.
However, the story does not stop there. Not only
have they provided much needed financial help
but they have also contributed safety gloves and
torches for the Nepal Earthquake Appeal as well
as making significant contributions to the last two
Surrey Young Carers’ Christmas parties, with some
fabulous Christmas gifts.
Several employees have shown an interest in
joining LMF to visit and learn more about the local
charities and see how the money raised is put to
good use. So far two trips have taken place; one
visit was to the opening of Parity’s day service in
Mytchett, where they saw some of the latest hi- tech
equipment being used by the parity students, the
other visit was an invitation to join one of the Surrey
Young Carers’ activity days on a farm. Both visits
allowed staff to see the real-life effects of donating
money to these two fabulous causes and feel the
pride of their achievements.
The support of STIHL remains strong as the business
has voted LMF back in for another year. We can’t
thank the company enough for their all-round
support. It’s been truly heart-warming and fun and
we are all glad to ‘STIHL’ be together!
The next trip will take them to see the work of the
talented research team at The Prostate Project.
It’s been a year filled with fun.....
And there is STIHL more to come
The Lisa May Foundation 4 5
January 2016

What Support from the Lisa May Foundation
means to Parity for Disability
by Helene Abbiss
An Amazing Year with LMF By Nick Ransom
My name is Nick Ransom and I’m an aspiring broadcaster. I’ve lived in Bagshot since I was born and for over 10 years have
been passionate about presenting, reporting and TV entertainment. In 2009, I set up my own YouTube channel and since
2011 have been out and about filming local stories in Surrey covering everything from fêtes to football teams to school
events and much more; in 2012 I came across the Lisa May Foundation. I covered LMF’s opening ceremony at Sainsbury’s
Farnborough and it was up on my channel.
After meeting Cheryl and John, I was inspired by the charity’s tale and in 2013 I was contacted again by Cheryl who was
looking for a video to mark ten years since the charity began. I was really keen to help mark the anniversary in style and
was proud to produce the film and help LMF set up a fully-branded YouTube channel. I really felt incredibly honoured to
be drafted in to help on a prestigious occasion. The video told the story of 2004 onwards and how the charity has helped
change lives at home and overseas.
2015 arrived and it was a great experience for me to continue to produce videos for LMF. When the Nepal earthquake
struck in April, I felt compelled to help kick-off a vital fundraising campaign that saw us produce three appeal videos in the
space of just six days. Helping to raise over £100,000 for Nepal was an amazing feeling and I’m so glad I could put my skill
of filmmaking to good use. Kapil and his team did a superb job and it’s unbelievable that a charity as small as LMF could
help so much. The fundraising still continues though and I look forward to hearing more of LMF’s efforts in helping abroad.
My final year of Sixth Form soon came to a close and I knew I’d soon be heading to MediaCityUK and the University of
Salford to pursue my dreams of working in TV. Cheryl suggested making three final films, one on each of LMF’s three
amazing chosen charities. The documentary series looked at where your generous funds go and it was a real joy to make.
Travelling the length and breadth of Surrey for three super summer months is an experience I’ll never forget.
I’m so proud to have worked with Cheryl and John and have learned a lot about myself, charities in general and of course
filmmaking. I’m so thankful for the fact they believed in me and hope the videos help shine light on the spectacular work of
the charities. It’s been a fun-filled, hardworking but rewarding year. Communities need charities like this and I wish Cheryl
and John the very best of luck in moving the charity forward.
Thank you LMF, see you when I get back!
Giving men a better chance of
beating prostate cancer
Nick
The Prostate Project funds state-of-the-art equipment and supports early diagnosis and effective treatment of
Prostate Cancer. We could not wait to go behind-the-scenes to make a short film of the amazing work they do
in the laboratory, to give men a better chance of beating the disease. While making the film it brought home
just how important the research is in diagnosing and treating Prostate Cancer. Interviewing the researchers gave
us a real insight into the complexities they face in the fight against prostate cancer. The researcher in our film,
Mehreen Arif has been partly funded by LMF donations and she is clearly making a positive and lasting impact.
We are going back to see how the team are getting on in February, and will present the team with further funds.
Mehreen Arif
Researcher
All of our LMF videos can be viewed on our You Tube Channel www.youtube.com/user/LisaMayFoundation
7
Working with Surrey Young Carers
by Russell Mimms - sessional worker
I’m a carer for my younger sister who has Down’s Syndrome.
When I was younger I found it difficult to understand why
she was different and why she got more attention from my
parents than me. I attended group sessions and events
through Surrey Young Carers (SYC).
I started working for Surrey Young Carers through an
apprenticeship, working with Martha to organise events for
young carers. It was during my role here that I could see the
positive impact which these events had on a large number
of young carers. There were many opportunities to share my
experiences and understand what young carers were talking
about when discussing their caring role.
In 2014, I decided to go to university to study youth work
and carry on as a sessional worker at SYC. Being a sessional
worker enables me to work with SYC around my university
work. If there is an event or group session happening I can
work if I’m free or if I’m not, I don’t have to. I’m now able
to use my experience as a young carer, a professional and
a university student, to provide young carers with a positive
experience whilst at SYC.
Being a sessional worker develops my learning as a new
youth worker as well as giving an incredible feeling that you
have helped someone, no matter how small. It is a feeling
which can rarely be beaten.
Our five-year long relationship with the Lisa May Foundation
continues to be extremely valuable to Parity for Disability.
The people with multiple disabilities who use Parity’s services
have access to a range of up to date equipment, and the
charity’s profile has been raised, thanks in no small part to
Cheryl’s hard work on the charity’s behalf.
We’ve expanded twice since 2010, due to a growing waiting
list, and each time the Foundation has provided donations
to help with the costs of furnishing and equipping the new
spaces. Parity’s Farnborough day service expanded when
adjacent premises became available in Whetstone Road,
Cove, and then our brand new service opened in January
2015 in Salisbury Grove, Mytchett. The people who use
Parity’s services require a high level of support to carry out
most day to day activities, and the right equipment and
surroundings are hugely important to meeting their needs.
The Foundation’s willingness to pledge support has also
helped significantly with grant applications, as funders
like to know that other organisations have confidence in a
project. Showing that the Foundation was one of our donors
enabled us to meet and even exceed fundraising targets.
One of the Foundation’s talented young volunteers, Nick
Ransom, alongside Cheryl, created a wonderful short film
about Parity. While Nick provided all his technical expertise,
Cheryl did a fantastic job encouraging staff and students
to take part and giving them the confidence to do so. The
result was a film that captured some of the staff and students’
personalities and the fantastic atmosphere of Parity.
All at Parity for Disability are extremely grateful to John,
Cheryl and everyone involved in the Lisa May Foundation
for all their support over the years. We look forward to our
“special relationship” continuing well into the future.
Many, many thanks
Helene
January 2016

CALLING ALL YOUNG
APPRENTICES
Kings
International
Hawley Place
School
LEAH’S STORY
Lisa May Foundation Scholarship Grant.
Each year the Foundation grants a scholarship to a student
at Bath University where John was a postgraduate from the
School of Management. Students chosen for the scholarship
might not have had the opportunity to further their education
without this financial boost to support their studies.
Leah Valoroso is a third year student studying Social
Sciences. She kindly gave us permission to share part of her
letter of thanks.
“I cannot begin to completely explain how grateful I am for
your generosity with awarding me the Lisa May Scholarship.
It astounds me how kind and charitable it is for you to offer
this to students each year, and I will remember this kind act
for the rest of my life. Not only has it helped me financially,
but also academically by way of removing the stress of
financial worries, and personally by reinforcing the idea that
it is rewarding to give to others. I hope that I too will be as
thoughtful throughout my adult life so I can touch the hearts
of others, just as you have mine.
In my third and final year, I have been able to completely
focus my efforts onto maintaining my first level degree. I
am still predicted a first overall, although I am still awaiting
my results. I truly believe that I wouldn’t have been able
to achieve such high grades without the donation of this
scholarship, because to afford my bills and rent, I would
have had to undertake considerably more shifts at work. I
have had my dissertation back and I am over the moon to
tell you that I achieved a first in the most challenging and
rewarding piece of work I have done to date. Last year I told
you I had achieved 80% and 74% in two modules but was
awaiting the semester’s statistics results. I achieved 100% in
my quantitative analysis module! This high grade was not
achieved by any other student in the entire year group, so I
was ecstatic! I have enjoyed my time at the university, and
believe that I have given my all to achieving the best results I
possibly can, and making the most of my time here. I’d like
to again thank you so much for your part in that.”
Yours sincerely,
Leah Valoroso
LMF is working with local schools on a
new fundraising project it has developed.
The concept is quite simply a way to learn
how to run a small project which makes a
profit. The profit, in turn, is given to The
Lisa May Foundation. It’s called Make,
Sell, Give!
Most great ideas usually need an initial financial outlay
which is where we step in. We lend budding apprentices
the money to get the project off the ground! £50-£500 is
available per school, based on the pitch or business plan
presented to us.
The profit is donated to help good causes locally and
abroad via the Lisa May Foundation. Schools don’t have to
worry about the initial outlay, students just have to come up
with great ideas and put in the effort to sell their products for
profit. The Foundation provides encouragement and support
to steer them in the right direction. We help brainstorm ideas,
but students must run the project themselves with advice and
support from LMF and their teachers.
MAKE, SELL
GIVE!
It’s a chance to learn new skills that will be useful to young
people as they go into the world of work or the next stage
of their education. We provide certificates of achievement
and thanks that can be used to support future university or
job applications.
This project could work for any small group of enthusiastic
entrepreneurs who think they could be the next set of
budding apprentices. If you think this could be you, why not
contact Cheryl@lisamayfoundation.org and help us
to raise money for some very good causes.
Our first two projects are already underway, thanks to
Kings International in Camberley and Hawley Place School,
Blackwater.
Kings International took the charity to their hearts after a
presentation on the Tsunami and students spent a whole term
learning about it in many of their lessons. The school and their
fabulous team of students were the first to take up the Make,
Sell, Give challenge. They impressed us with the idea of
making key-rings and jewellery to mark the 10th anniversary
of the Boxing Day Tsunami which happened in Thailand in
2004. They created a fantastic range of affordable pieces
which were chosen by running a small competition where
the best ideas were then put into production. They now have
a stock of key rings and jewellery available to buy from
the school or via LMF. Fundraising with this team has been
exciting, informative and hopefully it will soon be lucrative
too! For details of any of the items, please send your request
via email to Cheryl@lisamayfoundation.org
Our most recent Young Apprentices hit the ground running
after meeting with LMF to discuss ideas for events that would
be real crowd pleasers. They came up with two very different
ways to raise money and increase supporters. The first event
was a Breakfast Club for Year 7 & 8 as well as parents
who paid for a hearty breakfast before school started! Over
40 happy customers attended and enjoyed croissants,
toast, cereal, fruit and hot chocolate and went away feeling
pleasantly full! The apprentices showed their negotiating
skills by getting donations of food from some large and
generous corporate companies who were interested to hear
about the big idea It was so successful another breakfast is
planned forJanuary.
The second event was a “Secret Shopping” experience for
Years 4, 5 and 6 who got the chance to buy a wrapped
Christmas gift for their parents or pets. The team spent weeks
making and wrapping the presents and transformed the
music room into a wonderful “Christmas Grotto”. The girls
collected the Juniors from their classrooms and helped them
choose a present and the Juniors then wrote their own gift
tags. Festive music and some very helpful, elves, reindeer
and snowmen helped bring the festive spirit early enough to
get their Christmas shopping done during breaktime! So far
our superstar fundraisers have already raised over £300 in
profit! The students have been invited by LMF to present the
money they raise to one or more of our charities, or to LMF
for one of our global causes.
Students are planning more events and the outlay can be
used to fund next year’s LMF’S budding apprentices.
The Lisa May Foundation 8 9
January 2016

SCHOOL IN A BAG
Our First
Shipment in memory of Lisa May
You may remember we have teamed up with Luke
Simon who runs the School in a Bag charity set up after
he also lost his brother Piers in the Boxing Day Tsunami.
The charity sends rucksacks full of school equipment to
poor, orphan and disaster affected children all over the
world.
The distinctive red rucksacks now have the LMF logo
on the front too, and we can select which areas of the
world we wish to send shipments to.
Our very first shipment went to Sri Lanka which we
thought was very fitting, as it was affected by the
Tsunami. As you can see the children there were over
the moon to get their very own rucksacks to keep. We
are sure they will grow into them as the years progress!
Every rucksack has its own unique tracking number
so your bag can be tracked to its final destination.
Rucksacks costs anything from £15-20 depending
on the route they have to take, but the contents of
all the bags are new and the same. All donations are
welcome, but if you can donate £1,500 or more you
can also have the opportunity to do a production line
pack at your place of business. It’s a great way to see
the rucksacks and help pack them ready to go to your
chosen destination. Giving children the tools to do the
best job they can certainly gives them a fighting chance.
For more information on our School in a Bag partnership
contact Cheryl@lisamayfoundation.org
A GLO-ING GROTTO
For Our
Surrey Young Carers
Every year the Lisa May Foundation organises a
Christmas party for children who are young carers.
Alan and Lorraine Farmery from Glo Salon kindly
agreed to be the main sponsor for this year’s party and
15 fantastic children aged 8-11, who are young carers
helping look after a family member, were invited by the
Foundation to a super-sized grotto party on the first
floor of the Glo Salon in Park Street, Camberley.
The grotto was built from scratch and Glo and LMF
staff, dressed as elves, welcomed the children with
‘mocktails’ which included Rudolphs’s Nose, Elves’
Christmas punch and Candy Cane Surprise! A snow
scene projected onto the wall was the backdrop for
some fun photos and magician Alex Kazam entertained
them with his tricks. The show was a great success with
lots of audience participation and laughter. The rest of
the evening included a festive feast of pizza and nibbles
and the children got the chance to decorate their own
cupcakes with Santa and elf faces. After Santa made
his entrance (via the chimney!) the children left with
Christmas stockings, presents and a large bag of
chocolates!
We’d like to thank local businesses Glo, STIHL GB,
Specsavers, La Di Da Cup Cakery, Zizzi’s and
Chocoholics who all donated to make the evening
such a night to remember for the children. Glo went
the extra mile, now LMF has to a find a way to top it
next year!
The Lisa May Foundation 10 11
January 2016
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WAYS TO HELP LMF
Remember you can help us in many ways
Donate your unwanted goods
We sometimes forget that one of the simplest ways of giving to charity without parting with cash
is to donate possessions. So when you do your spring clean, why not donate any good quality
items/unwanted gifts to LMF?
We welcome raffle, tombola and auction items anytime of the year.
Help raise awareness
If you feel passionately about us, increasing awareness is a great way to get more money
flowing our way.
Talk about us on Social Media: include us in your tweets @LMFORG
Like us on Facebook and share our stories with friends and colleagues
Tick something off your bucket list and do a sponsored challenge for LMF.
Propose us to a business, school or organization to be their nominated charity
We love new supporters.
Volunteer
You may be able to offer specific skills that you have, such as marketing, IT, Media, admin,
fundraising/creative ideas or simply lend us an extra pair of hands at one of our events.
We value offers of regular or ad-hoc hours.
We do still love donations of money!
We accept cash (even coins!), cheques, and bank transfers
If you are a UK taxpayer, please
Legacies also welcome
We are really friendly too, so if you want to find out more about us or ask any
questions why not get in touch?
Email: Cheryl@lisamayfoundation.org
Call us on: 01276 472000
Tweet us: @LMFORG
Follow us on Facebook
Keep up to date via the website: www.lisamayfoundation.org