SAMACHARA 50Th ANNIVERSARY EDITION
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1969 2019 THE ;dfrf/ CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN NEPAL SAMACHARA 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION Your Gurkha Welfare Trust newsletter No 54 Samachara means ‘news’ in Nepali Autumn 2019 www.gwt.org.uk 01722 323 955 [email protected] Celebrating 50 years supporting Gurkha veterans in Nepal OUR ORIGINAL APPEAL In the late 1960s, it became apparent that a great number of Gurkha soldiers and their dependants or widows in Nepal were facing destitution in their old age. Many of these soldiers had served in World War Two. However, they had not completed the 15 years needed to qualify for a British Army pension. Unlike their British counterparts who could rely on the UK welfare state and their pensions in their old age, the Nepali Gurkhas had no such safety net. Thousands of them had returned to their home country to a life of hardship and poverty. A public appeal was launched in the UK to raise funds to support these brave men who now faced such difficulty, so that they too could live with dignity. PAGE 1 1969 OUR FIRST THE GURKHA WELFARE OVERWHELMING TRUSTEES TRUST IS BORN Having become aware of Her RESPONSE generations are MEETING Majesty’s enthusiasm for the well provided for. Initially the planning was co- appeal, Lord Mountbatten The response to the appeal was promoted ‘A night of This year (2019) ordinated by the Brigade of Gurkhas overwhelming, surpassing the 1970 Liaison Officer in the War Office and a hundred pipers’ £1 million target. It was clear that marks 50 years AN APPEAL FOR in the Albert Hall FUNDS APPEARS Colonel Charles Wylie became the the British public saw the need of The Gurkha IN THE TIMES secretary for the appeal committee and the Mayor of to help the Gurkhas and that Welfare Trust once Peter Myers had established the Westminster provided they recognised just what an in Nepal. To venture. Marks and Spencer incredible service the Gurkhas celebrate we have with a venue for have given this country. put together a dress show 1970 An office space was kindly donated in an anniversary FIRST FUNDS ARE Moorgate in the City of London and attended by the That initial appeal and show of website which GIVEN TO OUR at 2pm on 22 December 1969, the Duchess of Kent. support cemented the Trust shows the history VETERANS first Trustee meeting of The Gurkha Our street collection as its own entity. The of the Trust over Welfare Trust was held. was highlighted by the organisation went from the last 50 years. ladies at each door of strength to strength, The Trustees had set themselves the Stock Exchange creating a network of bases You can read all 1973 the ambitious target of raising £1 encouraging (Area Welfare Centres) across about the aid we OUR SCHOOLS generosity with the PROGRAMME million (over £11 million in today’s Nepal, as well as a team of have distributed BEGINS money), with the notion that this suggestion that it should dedicated staff, many of them Gurkha in Nepal, and see sum would provide for Gurkhas in be ‘paper money only’.” veterans themselves, to help the how the Trust need ‘in perpetuity’. Such has been distribution of aid. has evolved, and the demand for the services offered the real impact that today the Trust spends over £22 Years later, we formalised the we continue to 1977 OUR FIRST distribution of funds and began have on people’s WELFARE CENTRE IS BUILT Attendees of the first Trustees meeting held at 2pm paying what is now called the Welfare lives, thanks to on Monday 22 December 1969 in London: Pension to impoverished Gurkha your support. veterans and widows. Major-General D. G. T. Horsford, CBE, DSO Founder & Managing Trustee After you’ve Brigadier P. M. Kent, CBE Managing Trustee read our story, THE TRUST TODAY 1989 we’d love to hear yours and even see WE PARTNER Major-General J, H, S. Bowring, CB, OBE, MC Managing Trustee WITH DFID TO Major-General P. G. Turpin, CB, OBE Nominating Colonel Support from the public has Though the Welfare Pension remains your photos. What is it that makes DELIVER WATER Colonel C, S. F. Carroll, OBE, MC Managing Trustee remained, and the Trust continues core to our mission, a more holistic the Gurkhas special to you? Why do package of care is now provided, you continue to support them? Lieutenant-Colonel A. S. Harvey, OBE, MC Proxy for Managing Trustee to work tirelessly in Nepal to repay including home building, a mobile Lieutenant-Colonel C, G. Wylie Proxy for Managing Trustee Britain’s ‘debt of honour’ to the medical service, state-of-the-art Mr. G. P. Pirie-Gordon Banker to the Trust Gurkhas. Medical Clinics and two Residential 1991 OUR FIRST The Hon. R.R. E. Chorley The Auditor Homes. MEDICAL CLINIC Mr. G. M. U. Young The Solicitor HEAD TO IS BUILT Mr. D.H.P. Bridgehouse The Custodian Trustee Over time, our remit has also WWW.GWT.ORG.UK/50 Mr. B. E. Sturgess, FCA Director, Ionian Bank expanded to include more TO LEAVE YOUR STORY Mr. B. W. S. Irwin, MC, TD, DL Deputy Chairman, Ionian Bank community-focussed projects, Major J. L. Chapple, MBE Appeal Office like building schools and providing 2010 Apologies clean water access to remote OUR FIRST Major-General J. A. Robertson, CB, CBE, DSO Founder villages across Nepal, so that future RESIDENTIAL HOME OPENS General A. G. Patterson, CB, DSO, OBE, MC Founder and Managing Trustee million supporting veterans or their AN APPEAL IN THE TELL US YOUR STORY 2015 widows each year. TIMES 200 YEARS OF Did you serve alongside the Gurkhas, or have a relative THE GURKHAS Mr Anthony Wieler was instrumental CELEBRATIONS With fundraising work continuing who did? Maybe you met a soldier or a veteran once in raising the initial funds and around the world, an appeal for remembers the period as one of who had an impact on you? Maybe you even visited support from the British public Nepal and saw the beautiful country for yourself? much activity: was placed in the Times on 25 June 1970. The advert was signed 2015 “Her Majesty the Queen questioned Send a postcard to the ‘bravest of the brave’ on our website and let URGENT by an unprecedented eight Field EARTHQUAKE why we had not asked her to do Marshals, all of whom were well them and the public know just why the Gurkhas are so important APPEAL anything other than accepting her known to the British public as a to you. You can also read the stories of others on our website, and generous donation and the film result of their leadership during why they think the plight of Gurkhas is one worth fighting for. premiere for Alice in Wonderland World War Two. then became a royal occasion in aid WWW.GWT.ORG.UK/50 2019 of our appeal. TODAY PAGE 2 A word from our Director In 4x4s, on motorbikes and on foot to the thousands of Gurkha veterans the team are able to reach even the and widows who receive it. remotest of our pensioners. I’m excited to report that, after extensive Finally, and as always, thank you for testing, we are also in the process of your support. Without it, our work introducing all terrain vehicles (ATVs) wouldn’t be possible. The same to our fleet - the first of their kind in applies to your response to our last Nepal. Their durability and size mean appeal. The few photos below show we’ll be able to get even more vital just a handful of the hundreds of kit to those who need it. We’ll be items we’ve been able to buy - things sure to include an update on them like reading glasses, commodes, in Samachara once they’re put into wheelchairs, walking sticks and much Welcome to the latest edition of operation. more. Samachara. It is vital that we are able to increase As the monsoon season takes hold of the value of our Welfare Pension Nepal our diligent team are braving again this year. Though the amount the elements to make sure our may seem small to some, I know from Gurkha veterans and widows are safe. my years living in Nepal that the Al Howard increase will make a huge difference Director, The Gurkha Welfare Trust How you’re changing lives Thanks to your response to our last appeal, we have been busy distributing everyday items like walking sticks, glasses, bedding and more in Nepal. Small items like these can make all the difference to the quality of life of Gurkha veterans and widows. Thank you. Vital healthcare for remote communities We recently hosted our 101st medical camp in Nepal. “My name is Dil Maya Adhakari. I am 100 years old We provide free medical camps for now. I slowly walked and came communities living in the remote hills over here. I came here with of Nepal. For many, this is the only my friend. medical assistance they receive. Relatively simple procedures I came here because I had like cataract removals and tooth back ache and I feel dizzy. The extractions can make all the doctor said I have high blood difference to those living in pressure and has given me discomfort. medicines. I am very happy with the service. This camp took place 25km from Bhojpur Bazaar on the remote I would like to thank the western hills of the district. Over donors. I wish you live longer three days our medical team saw over than me and always do good!” 1,300 people.