A FORMER headteacher of Bolton School has told how his friends are among the many who have lost everything in the devastating Nepal earthquakes.

As reported in The Bolton News, Mervyn Brooker was trekking in Nepal with his friend Denver Thornton, from Bromley Cross, just a week before one of the earthquakes hit – destroying the homes of people he knew.

He returned to the school to gain support for the relief effort taking place in the aftermath of two disasters, which have claimed lives of more than 7,000 people.

He and Mr Thornton also organised fund-raising a presentation at Edgworth Cricket Club last week, which raised £400.

Mr Brooker said: “Having just returned from my third visit to Nepal, I was keen to do something.

“All the more so because I was having a meal at the home of a Sherpa friend a week before his house was destroyed by the earthquake. His family and others I know in the area have lost everything.

“Through what communication is possible, I can tell how tough their situation is.

“I was able to relate this first-hand knowledge to the boys and give them some idea of how their donation will be used.

“My direct links to Nepalis in the field are ensuring that the money goes quickly to where it is needed. They are most grateful for our efforts.”

Mr Brooker said that of all the places he has trekked, Nepal remains one of his favourite.

He showed pictures to the boys of “some of the things that aren’t there any more” or that have been damaged by the natural disaster, including images of Patan Durbar Square and the Monkey Temple.

It was the friendly nature of the people that inspired him to help the victims.

He said when his group was near Everest Base Camp in 2013, they were invited in for a cup of tea.

Mr Brooker has been in e-mail contact with the people he met during his visits to Nepal.

One lost his apartment in the first earthquake had to sleep in a tent with his family.

Although many were condemned or deemed uninhabitable, the family was able to move back into a neighbour’s building, but when the second earthquake hit this also collapsed.

The family has been forced to sleep outdoors during the rains of the monsoon season since then.

Mr Brooker read out a message from one of his contacts in Nepal who has been working on the relief efforts.

It explained how and where the money has been used and what the next steps will be for those running the relief operations.

To support the cause, years seven and eight boys climbed the height of Everest on the school’s stairs – and raised £500.