Fyrish fundraiser in the frame as Evanton man goes the distance to bring water to village with challenging Bimiri Foundation effort
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AN Evanton man who went the extra mile – and then some – for a cause close to his heart is now planning getting others involved closer to home.
Ian Bent (37) last week undertook a 50km walk carrying 20kg of water in a traditional basket on his back to highlight the need for access to water for a village in Nepal.
Honouring the dying wish of a friend, he set up the Bimiri Foundation in 2015 to help get running water to the rural village.
His symbolic walk from there to Khatmandu aimed to show the everyday suffering of villagers and put pressure on officials with the power to make things better.
He was joined by friends and live-streamed the walk and was buoyed by messages of support and encouragement.
Friends and followers managed to raise £5551 which will help towards laying the remaining pipeline to supply water to every house in the village. In the last year, locals began to lay the 6km pipeline themselves under guidance from engineers
The foundation has secured £37,000 from the government to install a water tank for Bimiri in the next three months – a crucial lifeline to those who have had to walk for miles with heavy loads several times a day to get water.
Other villages will also benefit from the water tank.
The foundation aims to employ villagers from Bimiri to teach others how to lay the pipeline.
Mr Bent (pictured), now back in Evanton, plans to have the water baskets shipped back to Scotland to continue fundraising efforts.
He plans to walk the West Highland Way next year to continue to raise money and awareness.
He has also launched a new appeal, challenging locals in Evanton and surrounding areas to tackle Fyrish Monument carrying the basket filled with water to spread awareness and raise money. He hopes this will encourage more people to take part and share the story of the foundation.
Mr Bent said: “Massive thanks to everyone who was donating, sharing, commenting. It is a massive help in the cause. I want to get to a point where I get 2000 people donating £2 each. We don’t need big donations to make progress, £2 would help massively.”
To take part in the Fyrish fundraiser, email info@thebimirifoundation.com
PICTURES: Evanton man takes on 50km walk with 20kg of water on back to highlight villagers' plight
