Doc McKerr

Britain’s Goodwill
Ambassador to Nepal

In July 2015 after I was asked to be Britain’s Goodwill Ambassador to Nepal, one of only 17 roles around the world, I was overwhelmed and immensely proud.

It was at that point I knew I wanted to do something unique that could help them build on one of their strongest industries; tourism.

We can all
make a difference,
it’s just a matter of
how big you want
that difference
to be

I was born in 1982 and grew up in Lincoln, England. After finishing my A-levels, I studied chemistry at the University of Hull and it was during this time that I really started to get hooked on climbing and mountaineering.

After travelling around the world, I joined the British Army in May 2006 and started my training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. During my seven years I served with airborne forces and Gurkha’s as a military engineer, completing a total of two operational tours of Afghanistan.

My connection to Nepal started in 2009 when I was posted to work for the charity the Gurkha Welfare Scheme (GWS) in the town of Pokhara, as the Project Engineer. Over the following 18 months I was responsible for Project Cell that constructed 22 schools and a medical centre across Nepal. During this time I not only learnt to speak Nepali but also visited a number of places and projects across Nepal. I also completed the Nepal Army High Altitude Mountain Warfare Course.

On leaving the army in March 2013 I returned to walk solo across the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), to promote its profile for future tourism and raise money for GWS. After 64 days I had walked over 1000 miles and became the first person to do this journey solo.

More recently with my new role as Britain’s Goodwill Ambassador, I am keen to do this position justice and do what I can to support the future of Nepal’s tourism.

TIMELINE

2006

Doc joins the army

2007

2008

Afghanistan

2009

Nepal

2010

Nepal

2011

2012

Afghanistan

2013

Great Himalaya Trail solo

2014

2015

APRIL Nepal earthquake

MAY Second earthquake

JUNE Goodwill Ambassador to Nepal

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER Filming in Nepal

2016

MARCH & APRIL Short films released