Fancy walking with Chris Bonington and Doug Scott, or going climbing with Mick Fowler or Shauna Coxsey? These are just a few examples of the 50 incredible items up for grabs in our auction for Nepal. Get involved!
After the people of Nepal suffered catastrophic losses in the April earthquake, British mountaineers are rallying to help them by launching a very special auction.
Starting on Sunday 28 June (revised date), the BMC will auction more than 50 truly unique items on eBay, ranging rom owning a rare piece of climbing history to spending the day with a mountaineering legend.
The auction, led by the BMC with support from the Alpine Club, is the brainchild of new BMC president Rehan Siddiqui. We've been busy collecting lots from mountaineers and other individuals, organisations and celebrities including:
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memorabilia and signed kit
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artwork
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days out with legends
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experience days
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latest outdoor gear
The Alpine Club, whose members have shaped climbing in Nepal since it was first opened to Westerners 66 years ago, is supporting this venture and its members have generously donated some valuable items of remarkable significance, including an Everest '53 team member's butterfly collection from Everest and an Everest 1953 silver engraved cigarette box.
Winners could find themselves walking alongside the likes of BMC Patrons Chris Bonington and Doug Scott, or rock climbing with Mick Fowler or BMC ambassadors Steve McClure, Shauna Coxsey, Fran Brown and Hazel Findlay.
Proceeds will go to Community Action Nepal, providing long-term support to the mountain people of Nepal. Community Action Nepal (CAN) is a UK based charity whose aim is to help the mountain people of Nepal through operating medical posts, schools and mountain porter rescue shelters. The charity was founded by Doug Scott CBE, who in 1975 made the first British ascent of Everest. Proceeds from a few items will go to help the Paldorje Sherpa Education Fund.
BMC president Rehan Siddiqui said: “It has been several weeks since the catastrophe in Nepal that shocked and saddened the world. Support for the Nepalese people is particularly strong amongst the mountaineering, climbing, trekking and other outdoor activities community, who have long held a deep regard for this region and its wonderful inhabitants.
“It is fantastic that so many top climbers, explorers, adventurers, venues, activity centres and retailers have pledged their support to the BMC Nepal Auction. The immediate attention of media has moved away from the earthquake in Nepal. It is important that we refocus the media's attention on the problems of the Nepalese people and we hope that international interest in this auction will generate substantial funds for the charities.”
Anna Lawford of the Alpine Club said: “Alpine Club members are keen to support this auction for Nepal. Since exploration, climbing and trekking have been the main reason British people visit Nepal, we believe that the mountaineering community in Britain should be leading fundraising efforts to raise money for rebuilding Nepalese communities.”
What happens next?
The auction lots were announced on Friday 12 June, when BMC president Rehan Siddiqui attended ClimbForCAN at the King Kong Climbing Centre in Keswick.
The auction will run in two batches:
Batch 1: Start bids on Sunday 28 June and ends on Sunday 5 July (7 days)
Batch 2: Start bids on Thursday 2 July and ends Sunday 12 July (10 days)
Please note these are revised dates
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