NEPAL EARTHQUAKE DISASTER
 

Hi all,
I guess most of you get email requests for money regularly, or you are the recipients of lost fortunes etc.
If it sounds to good to be true then it probably is.

I personally would not be contributing any amount of money to an individual in a foreign country even though it sounds like the right thing to do. You never really know where the money ends up.
It's a very sad time in Nepal at the moment, and will be for some time to come, and emotions may overcome good sense.

There have been many cases of large amounts of money that has been given in good faith that finds that it misdirected.
I am sure that there are many registered charitable organizations that money can be donated to or you could speak to the Nepalese embassy in your country.
You should be very aware of constant attempts by dishonest people to relieve well intentioned donors of their money.

... unless it is being run by by our own VF through a well known donations management website ...

In which case I was quite comfortable tossing in a lazy fifty.

But yeah, in general be very careful out there...

I agree with krypton_john that the advice holds try in the generality however VF is a local, well identifiable, and well intended.

I know for a fact that Steve even put the Bank Manager as a signatory to the account to ensure probity.

The advice I offer below should not be misinterpreted as any reflection upon "our own VF".
It is intended as a general warning.


Although we may feel we 'know' PPRuNe regulars, in most cases we don't actually know them personally.

A (former) regular is currently serving a prison sentence imposed for frauds perpetrated in part through PPRuNe.

Conman jailed for 21 months after failing to pass on donation to injured pilot

Other Pruners have posted that they also made donations but did not contact the police because the sums were relatively small. I make no comment about those. I refer only to what was proved in court.

In light of that experience, I wouldn't be surprised if PPRuNe Admin removes all links and references to the fund.



Advice from the Charity Commission:

for those considering Nepal donations...
 

yesterday morning in Sydney I had the privilege of spending an hour with the parents of our VF.... and have no doubt at all of the probity of our VF and his better half. :ok::ok:

If anyone wants to make Nepal earthquake relief donations I suggest considering carefully whether to make donations to high overhead high administration NGOs or whether to send funds directly to VF and his wife who run on the smell of an oily rag.

And I'll make this prediction...our VF is on the cusp of a career change...;)

DoT

.
Several Pruners spent many hours with the guy I mentioned in my previous post.
Some did so on several occasions.
None of them had any doubts about his probity.


I've donated to the Red Cross appeal.

There is also the matter of tax deductibility.

No doubt we would all appreciate hearing recommendations of the best performing charitable or aid organisations in that theatre.

Having spent more than an hour or two on the phone with VF this week, and many more in the past year .... I am happy to give.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...o/1837970.html

VF! Safe Flying !!!

Great to see Steve's Recovery Fund has cracked the US$10,000 mark. How much can one man do? :D:D:D:D

Another 7.4 quake :{

This time much closer to Mt. Everest. Only 86 km.
The area seems to be even more remote then the epicentre of the firth earthquake.

How do you donate to Steves fund, I've googled indigogo Nepal rural recovery fund but there appear to several versions.

BBC reporting that Namche Bazaar is near the centre of the latest quake.

A quick guide to "The Complete Everest Trek - Start to Finish"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FglIGVjd-8M

It gives an idea of the area and it beauty.
Includes maps at each part of the trek
@3.50 Namche Bazaar is reached.

Solar,

PM sent.

All - have heard from Steve just now. All a bit wobbly with several major aftershocks. He is doing what he does best. Staying calm.

Devastating news from Nepal. Namche Bazaar has been featured many times by VF, and yes, it looks very remote.

Thoughts with VF and family. Stay safe

VF and wife are OK as posted on another social media site.

UH1 missing
 

I have just received a message from Nepal that an American Military Helicopter UH1 is missing while on a rescue mission.

Lads thanks for the private pm's, necessary has been done.