An afternoon tea acknowledging the volunteers at the Temuka Sherpa Shop had a very special guest.
The end-of-year thank you was held at Temuka Motor Camp on Saturday with one guest coming from as far away as Nepal.
Lhakpa Sherpa worked as a guide for the Forgotten Sherpas of Nepal Trust.
Trustee Marg Stocker said Mr Sherpa lived in the remote village of Goli in the Solu Khumbu District, which was 250km east of Kathmandu.
She said it was his second visit to New Zealand.
‘‘He has been our guide on all the trips groups and individuals have been on in Nepal.
‘‘We call him [the] world’s number one guide.
‘‘Lhakpa has been very committed in supporting the trust’s work from the outset.’’
The trust’s Pike Rural George Hunter Clinic, which was inaugurated in 2023, was located in his village.
The trust raised money to pay for medicines, supplies and a nurse and assistant’s wages.
Mrs Stocker was thankful for all who had donated through the year, whether that was time, goods or cans.
