Meet our Trustees

Chair: Toby Gee
Elected to replace founding chair Barbara Holl, Toby has led treks in Nepal and has a great respect and affection for the Nepali people – and their songs. He is a London-based barrister and along with his wife, Heather Peacocke, raised funds which helped to establish the charity in the UK. Toby’s vision for Porters’ Progress UK is to expand its activities beyond Nepal.

Treasurer: Nicola Steele

Publicity: Gabrielle Dean
Gaby has long been committed to supporting the welfare of mountain porters since her first trek to Nepal in 1999 and has actively been involved in many fundraising events during her nine years working at adventure travel specialists, World Expeditions. Gaby is responsible for marketing and the website.

Communications: Heather Peacocke
Heather was the first volunteer for Porters' Progress when it was set up in Nepal in 2000 and has continued to be involved since then. In 2004, she ran the London marathon and raised the first significant funds which helped establish Porters' Progress UK. Originally from New Zealand, Heather has travelled extensively in Nepal and has helped to co-ordinate our projects in Nepal and raise the profile of the charity in the UK.

Secretary: Denise Prior
A founder member of Porters' Progress and House Manager at the Royal Geographical Society. Following a first career in international banking and two years residence in the USA, Denise was appointed House Manager of the Royal Geographical Society in 1991. A developing interest in climbing and mountains led to her joining the Medex Expedition in 2003. She was deeply impressed by the courage, endurance, dignity and hospitality of the mountain porters. As Liaison Officer for her team, Denise was also responsible for ensuring their welfare throughout the trek and became aware of the precarious and inherently dangerous nature of their lives. On her return to the UK she threw her energies into setting up this charity.

Professor Mary J. Morrell

A Reader in Respiratory Physiology at Imperial College, London, Mary’s research focuses on the effects of sleep-related cardio-respiratory disease. Having started out as a Nurse, Mary has established her research group at the Royal Brompton Hospital. Her involvement in Porters Progress began when she was asked to be a researcher on the 2003 Medical Expeditions trek to Nepal. During her time in Nepal she learned about Porters Progress and upon her return became a Trustee of Porter Progress UK.

Luke Walker

As a climber and as a landscape painter I have a huge love for the mountains and the outdoors. Following a trip to Nepal in 2004, I was overwhelmed by the generosity and spirit of the Sherpas and Porters who supported us out there. Their stoicism and ability to just keep on going amazed me. When I heard of Porters’ Progress and their work to support the Mountain Porters I really wanted to find a way to help. This was first through donating a painting to a charity auction on their behalf, and then helping out at their annual events. As I’ve come to know the wonderful, dedicated team of Trustees and Volunteers, all taking time out of their busy lives to help in any way they can, I’ve really felt we are able to make a difference in our own small way. I’m now honoured to be a Trustee for the charity and will work towards improving the lives of the Porter communities in Nepal and hopefully around the world.

To quote an Afgan Proverb, ‘Despite their bigness, Mountains can never reach each other, but humans can.’

Home

Porter Welfare