Bio

After 25 years of non-profit experience, 105 overseas programmes involving over 1500 students and adults, this charity is a continuation of John's dream. Following a career with the Colonial Police in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), as an Army officer and finishing with 25 years in management with Marks & Spencer PLC, John decided that early retirement was not for him. He began to teach inner city kids leadership skills through his charity the Fulcrum Challenge and since 2008 he has helped change thousands of lives for the better through the Lotus Flower Trust which funds schools, homes and skills centres in remote parts of the Himalayas. From 8am each morning, John sits at his desk in his ‘Shoffice’ in his tireless pursuit of raising money for destitute children, people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and women in conflict with their families. He takes no salary and makes sure at least 90 percent of all funds raised are used at grass roots level and is never spent on paperclips. John received the Special Recognition for Contribution to Equality Award in 2019 from Power Brands Global for his work with Lotus Flower Trust in India.

Bio

Ashok is managing director of Amazing Treks and Tours. His responsibility is arranging flights, hotels and transport within India. In fact, everything needed to make our trip proceed without problems or holdups. He has had the responsibility of organising both the Tibetan and The Great Wall of China marathons. He also takes care of 60 motorcyclists on an annual 14 day expedition amongst the Himalayas. He has recently been joined by his daughter Amrita who now looks after the Delhi office alongside Mr Amar Dabas, a retired building consultant, Mr Rigzin Namgyal of Eco Designs and Mr Bakshi.

Bio

Tantar is our ‘Man Friday’ (and all the other days of the week) in India. Any student that has ever travelled with us will have fond memories of Tantar. He is our invaluable campsite manager, with his experienced team, looking after all the needs of the group throughout the projects. Helping everywhere, organising supplies and meals, transport and accommodation. This is the man who makes sure that everything is where it should be, when we want it. A true asset to our charity.

Bio

‘The Boys’ is a generic word for both the boys, and girls, who work for Ashok Tripathi. They look after our camps with cooking and other support on treks. John Hunt has known most of these ‘boys’ for almost 20 years. We believe they are the best team on the mountains. They are nearly all Buddhist and as such nothing is too much trouble for them, ensuring those who travel with us have the best of times.

Bio

Sarah Branquinho is a businesswoman and became involved in founding Lotus Flower Trust after her son had a life-changing experience working on a school in the Himalayas with John Hunt. She is an active fund raiser for the Trust and visits projects in development whenever possible.

Bio

Erik Juul-Mortensen, a founding Trustee, has enjoyed a successful career in international business and is currently President of TFWA, a global trade association representing brands in the $60 bn international duty free and travel retail industry. The Association supports many charities and has funded several schools through Lotus Flower Trust.  Erik is also on the board of three regional trade associations as well as on the Duty Free World Council.

Bio

Sam Hart is a former army officer who now teaches at Winchester College. He took part in the School’s first expedition with the Lotus Flower Trust in 2010 and has since led two further expeditions.  He has worked hard to develop the School’s relationship with the Trust, coordinating annual expeditions and fundraising efforts.

Bio

Dr Ann Hunt is a retired Community Paediatrician who has worked with Lotus Flower Trust as a Trustee and office support since it’s inception. For 6 years after retiring she was the Medical Advisor and Education Manager in a Leadership Development charity working in India and other developing countries.

Bio

Dr Jamie Hill was a VSO in Thailand as a school leaver before university and medical school;  he served a short service commission as a doctor in the Royal Navy before entering General Practice in Scotland. Jamie has been able to contribute expeditionary medical experience to the Trust.

Bio

Now retired, Richard Wollaston was formerly the senior partner of Wollastons. In the elite Leading Lawyers list, he was a consultant in the company’s corporate team, acting on company acquisitions and sales, reconstructions and commercial deals of all sorts. He was introduced to the charity by school friend Dr Jamie Hill and has a keen interest in the Himalayan region.

Bio

Michael Crockett FRGS is a professional photographer and inveterate traveller. His work with British Airways and others takes him around the world, photographing people from Brazil to Zanzibar. Michael first travelled with John Hunt more than 20 years ago, with Fulcrum Challenge, and is now using his knowledge to help promote Lotus Flower Trust in new media.