Six serving Gurkhas and an ex-Gurkha officer will march off road the 200 miles from Mallaig to Stonehaven over the
'Gurkha Way' route to raise funds for the 10,500 surviving wartime Gurkhas and 5,000 widows who receive no pension
and live in near poverty.
"There were 250,000 Gurkhas who came from their homes in the Himalayas to serve the British Crown in World War Two,"
says organiser and walker John Archibald, "and the fact is that we owe them a debt of honour. They have been our
most loyal and best allies for nearly 200 years and deserve everything we can give them."
The Gurkha Welfare Trust, a charity established in 1969, pays the survivors or widows £6 per week. "It may not be
much but it can be the difference between survival and utter destitution. Until recently, in order to qualify for
a pension Gurkhas have to serve 15 years but many of these men fought only for a world war. When we needed them
they were there. Now it's our turn. They're too old to work but too proud to beg" adds John. "Despite recent
improvements made by the MOD to Gurkha terms and conditions of service, the GWT still supports 10,500
dependents, quite apart from a first class medical scheme and community aid projects in the Hills of Nepal."
The Gurkhas on this year's walk (the fourth time on this route) are from 70 Gurkha Fd.Sp.Sqn at Maidstone and the
Gurkha Demonstration Company, Sandhurst. The senior serving Gurkha on the walk, Captain Rajen Gurung says "We
are proud to support our glorious forebears and love Scotland. We play the pipes, wear the tartan and are, of
course, Highlanders too!"
John, 57, a business executive, is undertaking the walk for the first time. Two years ago Gurkha Highlander (Mallaig to
Stonehaven) was led by Neil Griffiths who has undertaken all five previous Gurkha Highlander walks, as well as the
Hebridean Gurkha walk (Butt of Lewis to Barra Head) in 2002, and the Gurkha Reiver walk (Southern Upland Way) in
2000. In all these long distance walks have more than £500,000. "Scots love the Gurkhas and the Gurkhas love the Scots.
Many settle here after their service ends" said John.
Prince Charles is the patron of The Gurkha Welfare Trust as well as Colonel In Chief of the Royal Gurkha Rifles.
He is a staunch supporter. It is notable that Prince Harry when interviewed in Afghanistan about his service there
specifically mentioned the Gurkhas.
Gurkha Highlander route: Inverie, Loch Arkaig, Spean Bridge, Corrour Station, Dalwhinnie, Braemar, Loch Muick,
Fetteresso Forest.
The official start of the fundraising effort will be at the War Memorial Prestonpans on Saturday 9th August at 4pm
when the first donation will be handed over. This is a photo call and opportunity to meet the walkers.
Other photo calls:
- Launch Of Walk: Prestonpans War Memorial 4pm Saturday 9th August.
- "The Western Isles" ferry, Mallaig Harbour, 10am Monday 11th August.
- Spean Bridge Commando Memorial, 6pm Wednesday 13th August including wreath laying ceremony.
Make a
donation online or
via cheque made payable to Gurkha Welfare Trust C/O Gurkha Highlander Headquarters, c/o The Hexagon Building,
674 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G41 2QE.
