The Foundation mourns loss of its Patron
The death of Sir Edmund Hillary is a sad loss for The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ, and all of New Zealand.
Sir Edmund, Patron of The Foundation, died on the morning of Friday 11 January 2008, aged 88.
He achieved international recognition and national hero status after being the first person to climb Mt Everest in 1953. He continued a long friendship with the people of Nepal and it is through his Nepalese interests that he became The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ's Patron.
Sir Edmund met Fred Hollows in 1992 when the Foundation was being launched in New Zealand.
The two great Kiwis shared the Kiwi ‘can do' spirit, a love of mountains, and enormous respect for Nepalese people.
Prime Minister Helen Clark described Sir Edmund as the best known New Zealander to have ever lived and said his passing was a profound loss to New Zealand.
"Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality, he was a colossus," she said.
Chair of The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ, Brent Impey, said Sir Edmund's commitment to Nepal and his determination to make a difference in all aspects of his life, have been an absolute inspiration to The Foundation.
"Sir Ed never stopped. He achieved so much, and with enormous humility. We were privileged to have such a giant of a man support our work. While his death saddens us, his life should be celebrated for its superlative achievements. We are all richer for having had Sir Ed in our lives," said Mr Impey.
Sir Edmund attended a dinner in his honour held by The Foundation in November 2004. He enthralled the guests with his understated tale of conquering Everest and his moving views on life.
The Foundation extends its sincerest sympathies to Lady Hillary and their family.
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