THOUSANDS of pounds spent by people in the Isle of Man on bracelets made in Nepal have helped towards the cost of building a school in the mountainous country.
John ‘Dog’ Callister, of Kirk Michael, went to Nepal with a fundraiser for the Pahar Trust, Mike Quayle, in 2004 to see the charity’s work. He wanted to have something to remember his visit.
Mike said: ‘He had some copper bracelets made [in Nepal] with the Three Legs on. I found a local craftsman to make them for him.’
When he returned home to the Isle of Man, people there saw the bracelets, and ‘as they also can be used to combat rheumatism’, asked John to arrange some more to be made. John saw this as a chance to raise some funds for the trust.
‘We ordered about 100 and they sold like hot cakes,’ said Mike. ‘So he continued with me going each year and returning with a new batch.’
John then decided he would like some in silver for his family and the same thing happened with other people also wishing to have the silver bracelets.
Now the men bring in both types of the bracelet and to date, including John’s most recent donation of £1,500, they have raised £6,800.
Howard Green, chairman of the Pahar Trust – which is a local registered charity dedicated to providing schools for the children of the Nepalese mountain regions – was delighted with John’s achievements and was able to announce that a new school will be started as a result of John’s efforts.
Mike, from Ballanard Road, Douglas, will be visiting Nepal in January. Anyone who would like a bracelet can contact John on 878509 or 421766.
