Lynne’s story
“The children’s warmth and curiosity touched my heart deeply, and witnessing their humble living conditions ignited a desire to help. I resolved to raise funds for them, expecting the process to be arduous and challenging. However, it turned out to be an uplifting experience.…”
My life was forever transformed by New Futures Nepal – a change so profound that the term “life-changing” hardly does it justice. From my first visit to Nepal in 1989, I was captivated by the country and its people. Their resilience and generosity, despite the harshness of their circumstances and daily challenges, left me in awe. It was then, in middle age, that I discovered my purpose.
In the year 2000, during another trip to Nepal, fate led me to the Hope Centre family. The children’s warmth and curiosity touched my heart deeply, and witnessing their humble living conditions ignited a desire to help. I resolved to raise funds for them, expecting the process to be arduous and challenging. However, it turned out to be an uplifting experience. Sharing the Hope Centre’s story and the impact of even a small donation struck a chord with my friends, family and colleagues, who generously contributed.
Forming the charity and teaming up with like-minded individuals became a joyous endeavour. We often emphasised how far a pound could go in Nepal, and that truth was evident when we funded surgery for a young boy who was born with several problems including minor deformities in both feet which meant he could only walk on his tip toes. We raised £70 and the young boy had the surgery which remedied the problem and he could walk, run and play football with the other children. Seeing the positive transformation in his life for the first time made me fight back the tears.
Speaking to schoolchildren about the differences between their lives and those at the Hope Centre was enlightening. A Christmas surprise presentation with an empty box emphasised the disparity sparking great fundraising efforts amongst the young students.
In 2026, Lynne was recognised in His Majesty The King’s New Year Overseas and International Honours list, having been awarded a British Empire Medal for long term commitment to improving the lives of disadvantaged children in Nepal and India.
Lynne said in response to the honour:
“Nearly twenty-four years ago, a small group came together with an idea and a hope that we might make some small difference in a country we loved.
In my wildest dreams I never imagined that one day I would be humbly saying thank you for being awarded a British Empire Medal.
This honour really belongs to many people. First and foremost, my fellow trustees (past and present) — most of whom have been with me for these 24 years. Your commitment, selfless generosity, patience and friendship have sustained me and our charity through challenges and successes alike. It has been an absolute privilege to work with you and this recognition belongs to you every bit as much as it does to me.
Our achievements in Nepal have been made possible by the inspirational work of our partner charities in Nepal and India. These charities are run by selfless dedicated people whose devotion to helping the disadvantaged has changed countless lives and given hope and independence to so many. Working with these colleagues has constantly inspired me. It’s never felt like “work” — it’s been something that’s quietly shaped my life and made it richer.
Looking back, I am very aware of how much of this journey has been shaped by good fortune. I was lucky to be born in the UK. Lucky to have opportunities that so many never have. Lucky to travel to Nepal at a point in my life when I was searching for a cause bigger than myself. And lucky to meet others who felt the same — people who came together as a team and created a charity that has genuinely changed lives. We were able, in some small way, to give something back to those who do not share our luck in life — and to witness them go on to achieve truly awesome results through their own talent, resilience and determination. That has been the greatest reward of all.
To all those who have supported our charity over the years — donors, volunteers, friends and family — who believed in what we were trying to do and trusted us to do it well, I give my heartfelt thanks.”
Lynne McCutcheon
Over the past 20+ years my passion for this work has only grown stronger. It has forever altered my perspective on life and reaffirmed my belief in human nature. I consider myself privileged and honoured to work with friends and colleagues in UK and Asia and I know my love for what I do burns with a flame that will continue to guide me for a lifetime.
