Grit and Determination: Jim’s heroic efforts to raise £50,000 for GWT

Jim Morton set himself an ambitious challenge back in 2021 to raise £50,000 for The Gurkha Welfare Trust.

Jim’s affinity with the Gurkhas began during his time in the Navy on his first ship HMS Gurkha in 1977. “It’s not the places we have been, but the people we have met that we will remember.”

An epic journey

Jim set out from his home in Yorkshire in April 2021, embarking on a 9,000-mile walk around the entire coast of Britain. This expedition would fulfil a lifetime ambition of visiting all 243 lighthouses in mainland Britain, while raising money for The Gurkha Welfare Trust. Jim set a target of £50,000 and had reached an amazing £37,000 by the end of his journey.

“The most challenging part…[was] the coast around Argyle, where there are no defined paths,” Jim said upon reflection of his time in Scotland. “Sometimes I was clinging to the cliff edges or hacking my way through forests. I have been prickled, nettled, and electrocuted. I have fallen 20 feet down a waterfall and then fell in the sea and rivers. It’s been a challenge.”

When Jim fell from a crumbling cliff, he was rescued and airlifted to hospital. Amazingly, he was discharged just two days later. Completely undeterred by his fall, he insisted on continuing his quest to fundraise for Gurkha veterans. After walking for 537 days and covering nearly 9,000 miles, Jim was finally welcomed home with the trill of bagpipes and cheers from his community.

Telling his story

Following this epic challenge, Jim wrote and published his book ‘I May Be Gone a While’ which documented his 18-month-long mission. Proceeds from the sale of the book were donated to The Gurkha Welfare Trust bringing his fundraising total up to £40,000.

Not giving up…

Determined to reach his £50,0000 target Jim took on his final challenge in June 2024 when he walked the length of the five beaches of the D-Day Normandy landings. Jim’s inspiration to take on this new endeavour stemmed from his father who, at only 21 years of age, fought on Sword Beach during the D-Day landings 80 years ago. Jim believes that this one day defined his whole life.

“When you look at the photos of him, he was 21, but he only looked about 12 to be honest in some of the pictures. It must have been terrifying for him.”

Jim was overjoyed to reach his target to raise £50,000 for The Gurkha Welfare Trust in December 2024.

“Never have we had a greater friend than the Gurkha. Not only have we raised the £50,000 target, we have educated so many youngsters about who the Gurkhas are… and you would be amazed at the amount of people who didn’t know that whilst we struggle to get Army recruits, nearly 10,000 Nepalese Gurkhas fought for the 350 places we gave them last year. The motto of “Better to die than be a coward” sums them up well enough.”

We are bowled over by Jim’s generosity, grit and determination. We cannot thank him enough for everything he has done, not only for raising this incredible amount to help Gurkha veterans in Nepal but also for raising awareness of Gurkhas everywhere he goes.

Find out more about Jim’s journey around Britain