A NEPALI man who runs an orphanage in Kathmandu has visited Worcester to thank the city for its generous support.

Milan Pariyar, president of Sharada’s Shelter for Children, has issued a heartfelt thank you to the people of Worcester for backing his life-changing work.

His organisation has been supported through Operation Nepali Child, a small charity set up by Ed Turner, 24, of Claines, who has been collecting sponsorship and donations for the earthquake-stricken country throughout Worcestershire.

Mr Pariyar said: “I would like to thank all of the people who have donated to our charity and our project.

“We are going to use the funds to help the children and to give them better futures.

“The support of the people of Worcester will make a huge difference to their lives.”

He added that the 7.8 magnitude earthquake had a devastating impact on Nepal, damaging the orphanage building and forcing the children and his family to live outside in a makeshift tent for three weeks.

“It was a terrible moment”, added Mr Pariyar.

“When the earthquake hit it was very scary. I felt the earth shake and I couldn’t stay on my feet. I knelt down and felt totally afraid.

“Many people were crying and screaming and the children were very scared and have been psychologically scarred.”

But the fundraising of the people of Worcester has helped the orphanage to keep its work going and move to a rented building while repairs are carried out.

Mr Pariyar, who initially met Mr Turner when the former RGS Worcester pupil was teaching in Nepal in 2013, is in England for 45 days to promote the work of his orphanage.

And he is hopeful that further funds from the people of Worcester will enable him to support more orphans, meeting an increased demand after many children tragically lost their parents in the quake disaster.

Mr Turner added he was “really excited” to see his friend Milan again and was hoping the visit would help boost their fundraising efforts.

For more information on Operation Nepali Child visit operationnepalichild.co.uk or facebook.com/operationnepalichild