It is with a heavy heart that I inform the HOPE community of the unexpected death of our Board Chair Mr. Grahame Lewis. Grahame was visiting the Centre in Battambang, which he did every year. Grahame became very ill and was admitted to a hospital in Phnom Penh. Grahame received excellent treatment and care in the hospital but yesterday after a week in ICU, he died.
The HOPE staff & volunteers in Cambodia and the community in Australia is in shock at the very sad passing of Grahame. He is universally liked and respected by his Board colleagues, the staff and many volunteers around the world who supported his work. Grahame had been Chair of the HOPE Board for nearly 10 years. He has shown his capacity for hard work, great dedication and commitment to the values of supporting children, families and the community to improve their lives through education, training. And community support.
We acknowledge the group of donors from Australia who had recently visited the Centre and the large group of international bike riders who rode into the Centre last week and were welcomed by Grahame on behalf of the community. These groups have been annually inspired by Grahame’s leadership and dedication.
Our thoughts are with Grahame’s family and friends as they come to terms with this sad loss of a loved, respected and a very good man.
JENNY MCAULEY INTERIM, CHAIR HOPE FOR CAMBODIAN CHILDREN
