Remembering Dan Doherty

It was with immense sadness that we said goodbye to our wonderful friend and brilliant Trustee, Dan Doherty, on 16th March 2016.

Dan was so much more than a Trustee of Learning for Life - he really was an ambassador for the charity. His skills, knowledge and passion for the change that education can bring to children in South Asia had a significant impact on Learning for Life as an organisation, whilst his relentless energy, enthusiasm and “can do” attitude was truly infectious, and inspired staff, Trustees and volunteers alike to constantly push to achieve more.

As a Trustee, Dan gave unstintingly of his time and experience to the benefit of Learning for Life. He was always available at the end of the phone for advice or to test an idea. He was similarly committed to supporting events, and took on the role of Master of Ceremonies, which fitted his personality and sense of humour perfectly.

We honoured Dan’s memory by building a school in rural Nepal that embodies his passion for education and commitment to creating opportunities for every child. The Dan Doherty Memorial School has been serving its community ever since, providing a safe and inspiring space for learning and growth. Read on to learn more about the school, the difference it’s making, and how you can support its future

Donate in memory

The Dan Doherty Memorial School: A Living Legacy

There is no doubt that Dan’s legacy will be incredibly long-lasting, and we have honoured this by constructing a school in his memory in rural Nepal.

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake on 25th April 2015, twelve of Learning for Life’s schools in the Makwanpur district were destroyed. It felt both timely and meaningful to partner with Dan’s husband, Neil Fullbrook, to fund the reconstruction of a school that would embody Dan’s unwavering belief in the power of education to change lives.

The Dan Doherty Memorial School was officially opened on 20th February 2017 by Neil and has since been serving as a vital education centre for the community. The school provides catch-up education for thirty children per year from some of Nepal’s most marginalised communities—children who have either never attended school or were forced to drop out. Thanks to this opportunity, they are able to regain lost learning and re-join the mainstream education system.

But the school is more than just a classroom. It is a shared resource for the entire community. Secondary school students use the space for quiet study after school, and the building houses a community library stocked with educational materials on health, hygiene, and human rights. A multipurpose hall also offers a venue for training sessions, meetings, and community events—and serves as an emergency shelter when needed.

Why We Need Your Support Now

The school has now been operating for several years and continues to be a beacon of hope for the children and families it serves. However, to keep providing a safe, inspiring, and high-quality learning environment, we are now seeking to raise £12,000 for essential upgrades.

Your support will help us:

Renovate classrooms and improve facilities
Provide much-needed desks, chairs, and textbooks
Equip the school with up-to-date learning materials
Train and support more local teachers
Ensure the building remains a safe and welcoming space for all who use it

Even the smallest donation can make a big difference:

£10 could buy textbooks for a child
£50 could provide desks and chairs for a classroom
£250 could fund a teacher’s salary for a month
£500 could transform a learning space or fund vital resources

Help Us Continue Dan’s Work

Dan left a deep impression on everyone who knew him. His commitment to social justice and education lives on in this school, and with your help, it will continue to grow and thrive.

You can donate to the Daniel Doherty Memorial School Fund here:
👉 www.learningforlifeuk.org/donate

To get in touch with the Learning for Life team:
📧 info@learningforlifeuk.org

Thank You

We are enormously grateful to everyone who has donated so far—whether by giving, attending events, running the British 10K, or even skydiving from 12,000ft. Special thanks go to Judith Donovan CBE for her generous gift, and of course to Neil, whose vision, dedication, and love for Dan have inspired so many to support this cause.

Together, we are keeping Dan’s vision alive and creating a future where every child has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.

Dan Doherty Memorial School case studies

As the pupils of the Dan Doherty Memorial School go through their educational experiences provided by the school, we are fortunate enough to have received some case studies from three students: Sagar Thing, Mamata Praja and Sarita Praja.

You can read their stories in more depth here.

Happy Children Children in the Dan Doherty Memorial School are very excited to receive their new uniforms and backpacls	Receiving new uniforms and resources
Receiving new uniforms and resources	Receiving new uniforms and resources
Children in the Dan Doherty Memorial School enjoying their lessons	Bakaiya 1 - Copy.jpg Children in the Dan Doherty School ready to learn
sarita Praja.png	Mamata Praja.png
Sagar Thing.png	Untitled design (1) - Copy - Copy.png
Opening ceremony Officially opening the Dan Doherty Memorial School	School children Children from one of the schools in Namtar VDC, Makwanpur District.