Over the past 2 years I have had the privilege of working alongside the Gurkhas. These soldiers and their families are truly amazing. They are some of the most selfless people I have ever worked with and learning about their homes back in Nepal has been inspiring. Over the past 200 years, thousands of Gurkhas have left their homes, families and everything they know to come to the UK and serve in the British Army. Considering where they have grown up and how little some of them and their families have, they are generous and will always put other people first. They form a vital part of what we do and for that reason, I want to give something back to them.

So I have decided to cycle 1800km around Europe, passing through 7 countries across 17 days. The challenge has one goal in mind and that's to raise money for these amazing people through the Gurkha Welfare Trust. I have listed a few things your money could support, and as you can see, just a small donation can change lives in Nepal. The trip will be fully self funded so 100% of your contribution will go to the charity.

Click here to view my route ->

https://www.komoot.com/collection/2610252/-1800kms-for-nepal

£15 could fund one influenza vaccine to help keep ageing Gurkha pensioners safe during the colder months.

£25 could fund 80 metres of pipeline needed to bring water to a community

£61 could pay for the first 500 bricks to lay the foundations of a new earthquake resilient home 

£103 could provide a pension for one month, a lifeline for many Gurkha veterans and their widows

£4870 pays for a new home after an earthquake

£10,000 would pay for a water project in a small village of 30 people.

Nepal sits in one of the most seismically active regions in the world and was hit most recently by an earthquake in November of last year. Prior to that, many may remember the devastating earthquake of 2015, where thousands of Gurkha veterans and widows were affected, and nationally the death toll was high. Unfortunately, it’s not a question of ‘if’ another earthquake hits Nepal, it’s when. Resilience and preparedness are central to the Trust’s thinking; both the water projects and any new school buildings are designed to be earthquake resilient, and they continue to build earthquake resilient homes for Gurkha veterans and widows most in need.

In the wider communities, the Trust’s water projects bring clean water and sanitation to remote communities in Nepal. They install individual tap stands and toilets to households and schools. Ensuring a safe water source and providing a comprehensive education programme on the importance of sanitation results in a sharp drop in water-borne diseases.  In addition, the schools programme sees the team build, repair and improve schools in remote regions of Nepal, in turn providing access to education and a better future for Nepali children.

An international standard of healthcare and medication is provided to Gurkha veterans and their families via regional medical clinics and by arranging subsidised treatment at carefully selected national hospitals. Specialist Pensioner Support Teams also journey into the hills of Nepal on motorbikes, in 4x4 vehicles and on foot to check the health of the most vulnerable Gurkha veterans and widows and deliver medication in their own homes.  

To this day, The Gurkha Welfare Trust provides vital support to Gurkha veterans, their families, and communities. Their team of over 500 staff in Nepal operate through 20 Area Welfare Centres across the country, enabling people to live with dignity through the delivery of essential financial and medical aid. They pay a pension to thousands of impoverished Gurkha veterans or widows in Nepal who were not eligible to receive a British Army pension. For many, this is their only source of income.

Thank you for all your support!