Everest Rescue Trust

The Everest Rescue Trust was established in 2006 and registered in Europe as a non-profit and an independent trust set up to operate and manage a self-funding rescue helicopter service for the high altitude regions of Nepal. The Trust will also fund a limited number of scholarships in the areas of aircraft operations and maintenance. Similarly, central to the Trust’s objectives is the development of Nepalese students through the provision of educational material and equipment. The Trust is also committed to a number of beneficiaries, particularly the Sagarmatha Sherpa Shed and the Sagarmatha Medical Centre. More information about beneficiaries can be found here.

Patron
Patron Peter Hillary standing beside the semi-complete Wasp plug “Rescue on Everest” challenge Patron Peter Hillary is arguably New Zealand’s greatest adventurer. Peter has spent much of his adult life challenging and conquering frontiers at the very limit of human endurance. Who better to guide and inspire us to achieve success in establishing this much needed service for the Nepali high altitude villages, and also the climbing community, both of which have been such an integral part of Peter's life. (See Peter's profile for more information.

Ambassador
Mark Inglis Mark Inglis is a proud Kiwi and the Everest Rescue Trust's Ambassador. In May 2006, he summited Everest, becoming the first double amputee to do so. Mark is a mountaineer, researcher, silver medal winning Olympic cyclist, skier, winemaker and motivational speaker, not to mention a force to be reckoned with when it comes to raising funds and awareness for prosthetics and limb loss in various countries. See Mark's profile for more information.

Trustees
Founding Trustees Trevor V. Rogers and Glenda F. Rogers enthusiastically embrace and support this humanitarian project. Trevor and Glenda have traversed Nepal, on many occasions, where they have come to admire the grit, the spirituality and friendliness of the Nepali people. It is their desire to gift some of their personal successes back to those communities by way of the Everest Rescue Trust.

Sponsor
The Everest Rescue Trust's principal sponsor TGR Helicorp Ltd (see profile for more information) is the only helicopter manufacturer in the Southern Hemisphere and enjoys international status with corporate memberships of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International and American Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. The company president is both a senior engineering member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronomics and a board member of UVS International in Paris, the world governing body for unmanned vehicle manufacturers.

TGR's Headquarters in Auckland New Zealand Established in 2000, Auckland-based TGR Helicorp is now at the forefront of helicopter design and manufacturing technology. Using ultra-modern composite materials (carbon fibre/Kevlar) and resin-infusion construction techniques, TGR Helicorp’s air frames and components provide unmatched structural integrity, strength and rigidity with power-to-weight ratios other manufacturers can only dream about. TGR Helicorp has designed and is presently manufacturing the Alpine Wasp Rescue Helicopter and the chase helicopter, the Sherpa, for the challenge and for ongoing rescue operations throughout the world.

Rescue Operations
Operating through an appointed Board of Management, based in Nepal, the Trust is solely responsible for the operational and financial management of the Everest Rescue Trust Air Rescue Service. Appointees to the board will be drawn from established and recognised mountaineering, rescue and medical organisations in Nepal.

Computer generated view of the wasp flying in the mountains With sole responsibility for the approval and dispatch of rescue aircraft, the board will also manage ongoing operational expenses (fuel, maintenance, hangar, base, ground lease and training expenses.) The rescue service will be self-funding through a schedule of "user pays" rescue fees and ongoing sponsorship support. Additional revenues generated by the rescue service will be disbursed by way of charitable grants to Himalayan village schools and medical clinics. These will be at the Trust’s sole discretion. The board will also liaise with existing Himalayan mountain rescue service providers to further aid mountain safety and rescue.

Flight Operations Training
The Trust, through principal sponsor TGR Helicorp, will provide training scholarships to select Nepalese students to train as flight operators and service technicians. This training will be conducted at the TGR Helicorp premises in Auckland, New Zealand. All training will be in compliance with Civil Aviation Authority standards under TGR's licences. Auditing of employees for the Trust will be by TGR as required and stipulated. The Trust will meet students' travel costs and expenses. Further full and part time employment opportunities will arise as the Trust begins construction of its base and headquarters. Those wishing to know more about the Trust’s work in Nepal or would like to contribute to the Trust’s work in Nepal are invited to contact the Trust Administrator in New Zealand here.

Education
Girls in school uniform in Kathmandu Education is a founding principle of the Everest Rescue Trust’s work in Nepal. The Trust has developed a web-based education program, accessed from the Rescue on Everest website, that is free for any student, school or teacher worldwide. Activity-based, the education program is tailored for students aged eight to 12 years.

Sample School Project entry screen With curriculum-based modules, teacher plans and downloads, the program is suitable for individual and classroom-based assignments. Mindful of this goal to develop and foster local participation the president and CEO of TGR will provide and install modern computer hardware and satellite-based internet facilities into a number of Himalayan village schools. This will allow local students to interact with students of their own age around the globe.

The Trust will also install satellite internet facilities at the medical clinic in Khumjung. This will provide village doctors and clinicians with the ability to track medical developments and source international advice and assistance when required.