Then: The Mekong Wheelchair Project
In the early 1990’s, Simon travelled to Cambodia where brutal warfare had left unprecented disability levels in its wake. With his partner Ian Harris, a fellow Royal College of Art graduate, they designed a wheelchair for the thousands of landmine victims, and set up a workshop to manufacture the 'Mekong Wheelchair’. The three-wheel design was made from hardwood which was abundantly available at the time.

The ‘Mekong Wheelchair’ has since received global acclaim and design awards - it was represented at the Nobel Peace Prize 1997, and one was even gifted to the Pope in 2024! 

Now: The 30,000 Trees Project
30 years and over 30,000 wheelchairs later, Cambodia has a new challenge. The tropical nation has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world with primary forest falling from over 70% in 1970 to 3.1% in 2007 (Cambodia National Forest Inventory). This deforestation threatens the livelihoods of Cambodia’s largely rural population and is unsustainable.

In response, Simon and members of the original team have implemented a new stainless steel wheelchair frame and have started their mission to plant 30,000 trees, and engage a younger generation with forest regeneration and protection.  

As the team in Cambodia reach the end of their first year, it's a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved and look ahead to the future.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the project has been seeing children at the Catholic Centre helping to prepare soil, plant seeds, and care for young seedlings. There is something truly special about knowing that the trees they are nurturing today could one day grow into forests around their communities.

A year ago, Warm Glass co-founder Simon launched the 30,000 Trees Project with a vision to create a sustainable, community-led approach to restoring Cambodia's landscapes.

Since then, the dedicated local team, Sreyrath, Vannak, and Ratana, have turned that vision into action:
🌱 Two nurseries established
🌱 Thousands of trees grown through project nurseries and partnerships
🌱 Local families trained in seed collection, germination, and nursery management
🌱 Trees distributed to schools, community projects, government offices, and Buddhist temples
🌱 Composting and vegetable-growing programmes developed to improve soil health and support local communities.

The first year has brought challenges and valuable lessons. Growing native rainforest trees requires patience, knowledge, and adaptation, but each season has strengthened the project and built local expertise.

As the project moves into Year Two, the focus now is on strengthening community nurseries, expanding compost production, establishing mini-forests, improving native seed collection, and distributing thousands more trees.

Alongside planting, the project will educate young people and their families about cultivation, ecology and the importance of trees in our environment. Every donation will go directly to plant trees in Cambodia, leading to positive impact.

The project will grow native trees to regenerate deforested land and to support the participating families.

Working with the Karuna Battambang Organisation - founded by Kike Figaredo, original member of the Mekong Wheelchair team - the 30,000 Trees project is establishing micro-nurseries, based in schools and rural communities around Cambodia.

We are incredibly grateful for any contributions you can make, large or small. Thank you. អរគុណ.

Warm Glass has supported the Mekong Wheelchair Project before, raising funds for wheelchairs through sponsorship and team members visiting the project in Cambodia.

We helped fundraise over £3,000 for the Mekong Wheelchair Project, and our team ran the Bristol 10K to help spread awareness.

Over the next three years, we would like your help to plant 30,000 trees in Cambodia. It’s simple, £1 plants 1 tree.