6th Gurkhas The Journal Issue 101

Page 30

REGIMENTAL

T

THE GURKHA WELFARE TRUST his year (2020) we have been doing everything we can to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on those we exist to support – Gurkha veterans.

Due to the swift and effective actions of Nepal’s government, limiting movement and enforcing quarantines, the spread of Covid-19 in Nepal has been slower than neighbouring countries. That said, the risk has been high and the risk to our Gurkha veterans and widows even higher, due to their age and their health.

equivalent of Everest in order to raise money for us. Their fundraising efforts raised over £50,000 for our work in Nepal. We also celebrated our most successful campaign to date. Launched in February, the second of our homebuilding appeals raised a phenomenal £800k+.

2,200km across Nepal unsupported on a bicycle

Former Gurkha officer Rob Abernethy took on an epic journey cycling unsupported across Nepal smashing his target of £100,000 to build a school there. Rob departed the UK for India on 29 December From March, the Nepal government banned all 2019 to start his challenge in Darjeeling on New movement across the country; however, because Year’s Day. From there he tackled the brutal terrain we were delivering essential medicine and PPE, we of Nepal in its entirety before finishing the other side were allowed to drive to the homes of the vulnerable in Landsdowne, India. We were delighted to welcome Gurkha veterans and widows we look after. Whilst we Rob twice along the way; once at our Residential normally deliver three months-worth of financial aid Home in Pokhara, and again at Shree Prabha, the to our pensioners at a time, this year we have been school to be rebuilt thanks to Rob’s journey. At the delivering five months-worth, due to the uncertainty school, we made sure to give him a hero’s welcome. of the country-wide lockdown. Hundreds of students lined the streets, each desperate to give Rob a Mala (flower garland) to In the UK, we have been blown away by the unstinting thank him for paving their way to a brighter future. support of the public whilst in lockdown. All of the funds raised by Rob’s cycle will assist Through May, June and July, over 200 in the rebuild of Shree Prabha School in the people climbed their stairs, ramps Gulmi District of west Nepal. and local hills repeatedly with the goal of Trailwalker 2019 summiting the Organised by the Queen’s Gurkha Signals, Trailwalker remains one of the highlights of our fundraising year and, in September 2019, 232 teams completed the 100km challenge across the South Downs in aid of the Trust and our charity partner Oxfam GB, together raising close to £1m. The Queen’s Gurkha Signals were the first to cross the finish line in 10 hours and 25 minutes, beating reigning champions the Royal Gurkha veteran Gurkha Rifles. Rana BahadurTamang

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