Welcome to Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Fund

Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Fund

Mingma with a seedling, photo by Anne Keiser

Mingma with Sir Ed Hillary, taken at the British Embassy during the 50th Anniversary, photo by Anne Keiser

Mingma and Ana Dablam, photo by Anne Keiser

PAGE CREATOR:	Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Fund
EVENT:	Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Fund
EVENT DATE:	23/09/2008

17 September 2007

Dear friends of Mingma and Nepal conservation

The Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Fund: a New Zealand living memorial

On 23 September 2006, some of Nepals most accomplished conservationists lost their lives in a tragic helicopter accident in Nepal. They had just participated in a ceremony handing over the management of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area to local communities a major milestone achieved after years of work led by WWF amongst others.

The Eastern Himalayas is home to many unique cultures, habitats and rare wildlife species. To these conservation leaders this area was not only one of natures miracles, but an inseparable part of their beings. One who lost his life was Mingma Norbu Sherpa, WWFs Managing Director of the Eastern Himalayas programme. Many of WWFs accomplishments in the region are the direct result of the vision and leadership of Mingma.

The deep connection between New Zealand and Nepal, especially in the Sagarmatha region, stemming from New Zealands and Sir Ed Hillarys relationship with the Sherpa people, has moved the Nepal /New Zealand conservation community. Mingma was educated at the first of Sir Eds schools and later he came to New Zealand where he undertook the Parks and Recreation Diploma at Lincoln College. Mingma was well known in New Zealand conservation and mountain circles and enjoyed a special friendship with Sir Ed.

Mingmas special place in the heart of New Zealand conservation has meant that many New Zealanders have expressed their sorrow at the collective losses, for Mingma, the other WWF staff and WWF partners. As the New Zealand community became aware of the losses there was a desire to establish a living memorial to Mingma.

For all of these reasons a Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Fund is to be established to provide for post graduate scholarships for Nepal conservation management students. The fund will support young conservation leaders from the Himalayan region, especially rural mountain areas, to attend Lincoln University in New Zealand.

We aim to raise NZ$450,000 as an endowment fund, which will yield sufficient funds to support a student annually in perpetuity. The fund will be held by WWF-New Zealand as the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Fund, and administered by a small steering group including Dave Bamford, Bruce Jefferies and David Simmons, Lisa Choegyal (Nepal), Chris Howe, and chaired by Jo Breese, former Chief Executive of WWF-New Zealand and a close friend of Mingma. Lincoln University has already generously committed to a post-graduate fees scholarship for up to ten years from 2008 and the Himalayan Trust are making available two airfares in the first year.

"As we approach the anniversary of the accident, we are determined to make the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Fund a reality, and are seeking your generous support to establish the fund so that the first scholarship can be awarded this year. This support will help ensure that Mingmas inspirational leadership of conservation management in Nepal continues. It will also celebrate Mingmas life, his work and the special bond he helped create between his beloved Nepal and New Zealand."
Ed Hillary

How to make your donation:
- By credit card through this fundraising page. You will receive an instant emailed receipt;
- By calling WWF-New Zealand on 0800 4357 993 within New Zealand or +64 4 499 2930 from other countries with your credit card details;
- Or by sending a cheque to Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Fund c/o WWF-New Zealand, PO Box 6237, Wellington.

Please make donations over $1,000 by calling WWF-New Zealand on the telephone or sending a cheque.

Please give generously in your support of the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Fund.

Warm regards

Jo Breese, immediate past Chief Executive of WWF-New Zealand
Chris Howe, Executive Director of WWF-New Zealand

PS Please forward this weblink onto your networks and help our fundraising.

My Online Sponsors To Date
DATE	NAME	AMOUNT	COMMENT
15/12/2010	Jane Riewe	$300.00	I went to graduate school with Mingma in Manitoba Canada and am saddened to learn of his passing. He contributed much to the world in his too-short life.
25/09/2009	Lynne Fefan	$20.00	On behalf of Wanaka Senior Citizens and a talk from Bruce Jefferies
11/03/2009	Helen	$100.00
18/08/2008	Ann Louise Mitcalfe	$100.00	This is a donation to support Bruce Jefferies' book auction initiative
17/08/2008	NZ Mountain Film Festival	$200.00	Part of our festival sponsorship
11/08/2008	Dave Bamford	$100.00
09/08/2008	MNSMF Book Auction - Wanaka NZ	$2,285.00	Part proceeds from a book auction organized in conjunction with the NZ Mountain Film Festival held in Wanaka in July '08. Other donations associated with this event have also been made to this site.
18/07/2008	John Pawson	$500.00
18/07/2008	John Pawson	$100.00
16/07/2008	Brian Martin	$100.00
20/06/2008	Gill Anderson Peter Jacobs	$100.00
27/05/2008	Stu, Louise, Anna and Becky	$200.00
21/03/2008	Graeme Worboys	$227.70	Mingma, An outstanding man who contributed so much to the conservation of mountains; to mountain people, and to a better planet
05/03/2008	Paul Herrick and Anna Cottrell	$500.00
21/02/2008	Joan Brock	$200.00
21/02/2008	John & Diane McKinnon	$2,000.00	Mingma was one of the outstanding Sherpas of his generation. Through his abilities he trained and inspired many others. He was a real leader and his early death is a great tragedy for his family, friends and the international conservation movement. He is sadly missed. Mingma had great confidence in younger conservationists. This fund will help them fulfill his aspiration.
20/12/2007	Sarah Hillary	$200.00
15/12/2007	Derek and Jane	$60.00
19/11/2007	Antonia	$60.00
28/10/2007	Debbie Snelson	$100.00
01/10/2007	Alexa Johnston	$250.00
25/09/2007	Andrew Rogers	$200.00	From a keen supporter of Nepal conservation
25/09/2007	Les Clark	$2,000.00	Thanks to those organising this Fund, helping continue a great tradition of Nepal - New Zealand links in protected area management, and for Mingma
25/09/2007	Ross Corbett	$150.00
24/09/2007	Janet Bogue	$100.00
20/09/2007	Lisa & Tenzin Choegyal	$2,000.00	The inspiration of our friend Mingma rings through the hills and valleys of the Himalaya. May his legacy live on with this scholarship to inspire many more.
20/09/2007	Belinda Stewart-Cox	$100.00	I did not know Mingma Sherpa though I heard about him and his good work from Lisa Choegyal. Plus I love Nepal and would like to help it regain environmental health and happiness
20/09/2007	Anne Parkinson	$100.00	In Mingmas memory; in support of conservation in Nepal and the continuing relationship between New Zealanders and the Nepalese people.
19/09/2007	Anne B. Keiser	$7,000.00	Mingma was beyond special to me. Our friendship and working relationship was based on our love and respect for Sir Edmund Hillary, but extended into Mingma's work at WWF here in Washington. He briged more cultural gaps than anyone I know, and his philosophy is reflected in his quote "Our purpose in life is to be better citizens to our community and the world." I hope this fund supports many more future Mingmas.
18/09/2007	Graeme and Lisa Ayres	$100.00	In Mingmas memory we look forward to maintaining strong connections with Nepal conservationists.
18/09/2007	Jo Breese	$200.00	Mingma was a great colleague and friend. He gave so much and cared deeply about people and nature.
18/09/2007	Bruce & Marg Jefferies	$1,000.00	Mingma was one of those special people which provided an inspiration to us all to retain some of our planets special places.
18/09/2007	Dave Bamford	$200.00