Dr Roger McMorrow, an anaesthetist practicing in Dublin, was one of a group of doctors on the 2007 Caudwell Xtreme Everest Project. This high altitude research expedition was part of a project designed to get a better understanding of the effects of low oxygen levels on sick patients with breathing difficulties. Roger, who reached the summit on 24th May 2007, gave a talk at his old school, The Friends’ School in Lisburn on 16th November 2007. The proceeds of the evening were very kindly donated to INET.
The 21st Anniversary of Saraswati Primary School took place in Phuleli on 22nd November 2007. The ceremony was attended on behalf of INET by Dr Jane Fenlon and Robbie Fenlon. This was an ideal opportunity for INET to have discussions with local people about some of INET’s current and future projects.
The INET Annual Christmas Art Show took place at The Bar Council’s Distillery Building in Dublin from 5th December to 19th December 2007. It was officially launched by art historian, Patricia McCarthy, Dawson Stelfox and Ercus Stewart on 6th December. Ercus and the Bar Council kindly provided this fine venue and the paintings, all by locally based artists, looked very well in such an excellent space. Sales went well and the artists kindly shared the proceeds with INET and Cerebral Palsey Nepal (CPN). INET was delighted to share with CPN. Dhana Khaling Rai and INET directors have visited the wonderful new facility in Kathmandu to see their excellent work .
Sir Edmund Hillary died on January 10th 2008. An Honorary Citizen of Nepal, he devoted his life to bettering the lives of Himalayan people in Nepal. On his funeral day on 22nd January, he was honoured by Senior Government Ministers in Nepal and by his own Prime Minister in New Zealand. Sir Edmund was the Patron of the successful 1993 Irish Everest Expedition which saw Dawson Stelfox reach the summit. Sir Edmund and his work in Nepal was the inspiration for Irish mountaineers to give something back to these hardworking and big hearted people. He developed Lukla Airport which brought tremendous economic change to the mountain people. The Nepalese Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has renamed it the Tenzing-Hillary Airport. The loss of Sir Edmund will be felt all over the world.
