News from our latest Medical Camp

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We held another specialist outreach camp at Solukhumbu District Hospital at the end of November, treating 457 patients over five days. The medical camp was a great success, run by our GWT teams in collaboration with local government authorities, the district hospital, and external medical specialists.

At our medical camps we provide free treatment for those living in remote communities in Nepal. We provide a range treatments and health checks as well as supplying prescriptions, mobility aids and equipment. Patients can travel for days to reach the medical camp and many have no other access to medical treatment.

The medical team followed strict COVID-19 protocols before, during, and after the camp. We carried out 496 antigen tests, including the GWT team, medical staff, volunteers, patients, and their carers.

During the camp our medical team

• provided 234 dental treatments: extractions, fillings, scaling and fitting dentures
• carried out 162 hearing tests and fitted 75 hearing aids
• supplied 16 mobility aids/devices
• measured 24 people for prosthesis and mobility devices for fitting at a follow-up camp in January.

Demand for dental services was very high after pausing these for many months due to the COVID pandemic, so we made a snap decision to extend the camp by two days (and fly in two more dental technicians!)

Where does my donation go?

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Last year, for every £1 donated to the Trust, 12p was spent on fundraising (including management of our investments) and 88p on directly supporting Gurkha veterans, widows and their wider communities. 

 The following is taken from the newly published 2020/2021 Annual Report & Accounts. 

Always transparent 

Our money is raised in the UK and spent in Nepal. We also part-fund two advice centres in the UK for Gurkha veterans and their families choosing to settle here. We are a well-established, well-respected and effective charity, transforming the lives of Gurkha veterans, their families and communities in Nepal.  

As a charity, we have around 30 staff in the UK (including our Advice Centres) and over 500 staff in Nepal delivering our vital work. 

How much of my donation goes to Nepal? 

We are able to guarantee that almost every penny donated to our work goes straight to Nepal. 

We do this by keeping our fundraising expenditure low and through effective management of our funds. Last year (20/21) our investments earned the Trust around £1.78m: the majority of the £2.5m we spent on fundraising (including the management of our investments) in the UK. As a result, we are able to guarantee that 88% of money donated to the Trust is spent on our charitable activities. 

Donations to the Trust do not pass through any other organisation in Nepal and go straight to where they are needed. 

How much do we spend on fundraising? 

Last year we spent £2.5m on fundraising (including management of our investments) in the UK, representing 12% of our total spend as an organisation. 

Though our spend on fundraising is low, it doesn’t make it any less effective. Last year for every £1 we spent on raising funds we brought in £6.33 to support Gurkha veterans, their families and communities. 

Elsewhere in our accounts, in response to the global financial uncertainty caused by COVID-19, our Trustees have increased Reserves to 18 months of expenditure to ensure that we can continue to deliver the same level of support and care to Gurkha veterans and their families.  

History of the famous Gurkhas: a timeline

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The Gurkhas are soldiers from Nepal who are recruited into the British Army, and have been for the last 200 years. Gurkhas are known to be as fearless in combat as they are good natured in daily life.

To this day, they remain renowned for their loyalty, professionalism and bravery.

Read the history of the famous Gurkhas in our timeline:

Anglo-Nepalese War

1814 — 1816

After a series of hard fought battles, the Treaty of Segauli is made between Nepal and The Honourable East India Company. In 1815 the Gurkhas’ fighting qualities are recognised and they are first enlisted into the armies of the British Crown.

Pindari War

1817 — 1818

Following years of plundering in Gujarat and Mirzapur by the Pindaris, British and Indian Army troops, including Gurkhas, defeat the Pindari Army of 30,000 horsemen.

Anglo-Sikh War

1845 — 1846

In 1845 a Sikh army crosses the Sutlej River in the Punjab – starting a war. Gurkhas fight hard at the battles of Aliwal and Sobroan. The Commander of the Army writes of Gurkha soldiers: “They vied in ardent courage with The Grenadiers and, armed with the short weapon of their mountains, were a terror to the Sikhs”.

Second Anglo-Sikh War

1848 — 1849

A series of increasing Sikh rebellions in the Punjab against British administration lead to war. The turning point is the Battle of Chillianwalla, a savage contest with both sides suffering great numbers of casualties. Final victory goes to the British.

Indian Sepoy Rebellion

1857 — 1859

Gurkhas fight alongside the British during the Indian Mutiny, remaining loyal to the British Indian Army. Gurkhas of The Sirmoor Battalion, later to become part of today’s Brigade of Gurkhas, become official Riflemen and are honoured by Queen Victoria with a unique Truncheon in recognition of their bravery and loyalty at the siege of Delhi.

Second Afghan War

1878 — 1880

Due to concerns over Russian influence in Afghanistan, the British send a force under General Roberts, including five Gurkha regiments, to invade the country. After several major engagements, the Afghans are defeated. When General Roberts is later raised to the peerage, he chooses the image of a Gurkha to be part of his family crest.

Boxer Rebellion

1900

Gurkhas serve bravely as part of an international force sent to quell a rebellion by a secret society of nationalist insurgents in China called “Boxers”, who were fighting against foreign influence.

Tibet Expedition

1904

Colonel Francis Younghusband leads a force of British, Indian and Gurkhas to Gyantse in Tibet to negotiate and arrange reparations for previous incidents. Lt J D Grant of 8th Gurkha Rifles is awarded the Victoria Cross for an assault on the stronghold at Gyantse Jong, where he scaled a cliff under heavy fire to force a breach.

World War One

1914 — 1918

During the First World War over 90,000 Gurkhas directly serve the British Crown, of which over 20,000 are killed, wounded or missing in action. Gurkha regiments earn hundreds of gallantry awards throughout the War.

World War Two

1939 — 1945

During the Second World War over 120,000 Gurkhas directly serve the British Crown from which there are over 20,000 killed, wounded and missing in action. The Gurkhas earn over 2,500 awards for bravery.

Indian independence

1947

Of the ten Gurkha Regiments existing at Indian Independence in 1947, six remain in the Indian Army and four transfer to the British Army. These are the 2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles) and the 6th, 7th and 10th Gurkha Rifles.

Malayan Emergency

1948 — 1960

The conflict in Malaya is the first in which Gurkhas fight as part of the British Army. They are committed from the outset of the Emergency and are continually on active service throughout the next twelve years, continuing to win awards for bravery in the field of combat.

Borneo Confrontation

1962 — 1966

From their bases in Sarawak, Gurkhas defend the country against Indonesian forces and engage in long range operations under the dense jungle canopy of tropical rainforest. On one such patrol Lance Corporal Rambahadur Limbu was awarded the Victoria Cross for valour.

The Gurkha Welfare Trust is founded

1969

The Gurkha Welfare Trust is founded with the primary aim of relieving poverty and distress amongst ex-Gurkha soldiers and their dependants. Today, it provides a monthly Welfare Pension and extensive medical care for its elderly ex-Gurkha beneficiaries, as well as delivering vital community aid such as water supply systems, schools and medical camps. Read more about the history of The Gurkha Welfare Trust.

The Falklands

1982

The Gurkhas’ fearsome reputation serves them well in the Falklands conflict, leading the Argentines to decide not to face them when challenged in battle. Britain successfully repels the invasion.

Afghanistan

2001 — 2014

Gurkhas play a key role in the war from the offset. Their skills in hand to hand combat are put to the test, notably Corporal Dipprasad Pun who is awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for repelling an assault in Helmand Province. Gurkhas’ peace-keeping skills and ability to build relationships with the Afghans prove invaluable. They are also charged with protecting Prince Harry during his service with the Army Air Corps.

Iraq

2003 — 2011

Gurkhas once again serve in the desert following the Allied invasion of Iraq, providing extensive medical and logistic support to the Allied forces while retracing routes their forebears had followed in the First World War.

Gurkha 200

2015

The Brigade of Gurkhas celebrates its 200th anniversary of loyal and distinguished service to the Crown. Various commemorative events are held, culminating in a spectacular pageant in London, attend by HM The Queen and other royals.

The Gurkha Challenge rocks...

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Hundreds of High School students and corporates worked with the Australian Army and the Gurkhas on The Gurkha Challenge...an amazing day of activity and adventure in support of Gurkha veterans.

 “It was one of my most memorable moments in my career."   Australian Army Officer.

“Quite simply the best event I have ever been involved with.”   Sydney High School teacher.

“The Gurkha challenge has been the most valuable training experience that I have ever completed with Unilever."  Unilever graduate manager.

The Australian Army and the Royal Gurkha Rifles work together in Sydney with High School students and corporates to support the charity Gurkha Australia raise funds to enable Gurkha veterans to live their lives in dignity.