The Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT) was established in 1969 to support Gurkha veterans & widows who had served in the Second World War but who had not qualified for an army pension (those who had served less than 15 years). Both of my grandfathers served in the Gurkhas and fought in World War II. My maternal grandfather was one of the Gurkha veterans who was ineligible to receive a proper pension. I can still remember in my childhood my maternal grandmother taking me to Dharan Welfare Centre to collect financial aid presented to her by the GWT. To this day she receives £82 a month; it has been a great help to her and contributes significantly towards her day-to-day basic needs.

There are still thousands of Gurkha veterans & widows like my grandmother who are being supported medically & financially by the GWT. Like all other trusts or charity organisations, COVID19 (Corona Virus) has adversely affected the finances of the GWT. Their staff in Nepal are mobile and actively supporting the Gurkha veterans & widows in Nepal but due to the current pandemic they desperately require more funding.

In the spirit of keeping things moving this year the Gurkha Welfare Trust is encouraging their supporters to join them in setting ourselves the challenge of scaling the tallest mountain in the world: Sagarmatha (Mt Everest). The challenge will begin on May 1^st, over 12 weeks, and will be set from our own homes. GWT are asking their supporters to scale Mt Everest, by climbing our stairs or walking up local inclines to achieve the equivalent elevation of 8,848m.

I am taking part in this challenge dressed in MTP & carrying 20 kilos on my back. I have got a staircase of 61 stairs which each measure approximately 15cm. On a single ascent I can cover 61 x 15 = 915cm, equivalent to 9.15 metres. I must climb this staircase 967 times in 12 weeks: approximately 81 times a week and 12 times a day to complete the ascent of Mt Everest.

I’ll be raising money for The Gurkha Welfare Trust  https://www.gwt.org.uk/. It will be a proud moment to cherish and will be making a worthy contribution during this pandemic. I’ve been lucky enough to see first hand the incredible and crucial work that GWT do out in Nepal. Their provision of financial, medical, and community aid to our Gurkha veterans, families, and wider communities is needed now more than ever. Taking part is a chance to make a difference.