Dr. Maggie Burgess
(Chairperson)

There are those rare times in our lives when everything fits together and allows us to make a real contribution. Promise Nepal is one of those times.

I have been visiting Nepal on a regular basis for the last 25 years and have formed a great affection for the country and its people.

About 8 years ago, frustrated at my low level of "trekking Nepali" I enrolled at the School of Oriental and African Studies and with necessary diligence I studied the Nepalese language.

Dame Claire Bertschinger
(Patron)

Dame Claire went to work for Promise Nepal in 2001 to evaluate the clinics and advise the charity on its aims and objectives. Claire says "I am extremely impressed by the work of Dr. Maggie Burgess, Dr. Hira Mana Pradan and her Nepali team and therefore very honoured and delighted to become the Patron of Promise Nepal. Helping people to help themselves is what it is all about."

Col. Bill Chesshyre
(Trustee)

Bill Chesshyre served 33 years in the Army, retiring in the rank of Colonel, and is now “Clerk” (Chief Executive) of a Livery Company in the City of London, the Gunmakers. He was educated at the King’s School, Canterbury, the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and Trinity College, Cambridge. He was commissioned into the Corps of Royal Engineers and served extensively with the Brigade of Gurkhas in Malaysia, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

Katie Campbell
(Trustee)

Katie Campbell was a journalist, playwright and fiction writer before she turned to academia.  Having attained her Ph D in landscape history she now lectures on Bristol University’s post-graduate programme, leads tours and writes for various magazines.  She has published several books on the designed landscape and sits on the board of the Garden History Society.  As well as her work for Promise Nepal she is an active member of Chain of Hope, hosting children from the developing world who come to London for essential heart treatment.

Rabi Thapa
(Trustee)

His friendship with Maggie Burgess exposed him to the ill effects of Leprosy after spending a month assisting Maggie with her Research at the Khokna Leprasarium in Kathmandu. Seeing the need he began to assist Maggie Burgess and Promise Nepal on a regular basis from 2005.

With over 20 adventurous years in the Adventure Travel Business establishing Wildlife Resorts, Organizing and leading Treks and mountaineering expeditions, cultural and Wildlife Safari tours, rafting, mountain biking and motorcycle expeditions, Rabi Thapa has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience about travel in The Himalayas. With a passion for travel and love for the outdoors, his never ending thirst for adventure takes him on Journeys in the Himalayas of Nepal, Tibet (PRC), Bhutan and India (Sikkim, Darjeeling & Ladakh) and beyond. He is presently the CEO of sacred Summits (P) Ltd (www.sacredsummits.com).

Believes that  “If life is a book, those who do not travel, read only a page”