About Us

Our mission

We ensure that Gurkha veterans, their widows and their wider communities are able to live with dignity. We achieve this primarily through the provision of financial, medical and community aid in Nepal.

We operate through 22 Area Welfare Centres spread across traditional Gurkha recruiting areas. In the UK, in conjunction with other service charities and government bodies we offer advice and support to help the thousands of retired Gurkhas and their families who choose to settle here.

Enter to help Gurkha veterans like Gunja Bahadur Rai

For over 50 years we have been supporting Gurkha veterans, their widows and communities in Nepal. Rifleman Gunja Bahadur Rai, veteran of the 7th Gurkha Rifles, is one of the courageous veterans who needs our help.

Rifleman Gunja Bahadur Rai began his military journey in October 1954. Following his training, he joined the 7th Gurkha Rifles and during his service was deployed across Malaya, Hong Kong and Brunei. Gunja was awarded the General Service Medal for his service in Malaya“I received this medal after fighting in Malaysia. We had to fight against the Malaya communist rebel fighters. I remember the tense missions in the dense jungles of Malaysia, where I lost a friend to enemy fire. He was beside me when he got shot in his neck and he sadly passed away. I was fortunate to survive.”

The memories of those days are a vivid reminder of the sacrifice of many. Like so many Gurkhas, Gunja Bahadur carried not just weapons but the hope and resilience of a brave soldier.

Upon his discharge in February 1965, Gunja Bahadur Rai returned to his village in Sankhuwasabha, a traditional Gurkha recruiting area. He built a life with his wife, Bishnu Maya Jimmi Rai, and together they raised four children. Life was challenging. With no pension at the time, he took on labour work, even helping to construct the Dharan-Dhankuta highway. He also worked as a porter, transporting goods across remote areas, walking for days with supplies on his back. Farming provided some food, but it was never enough.

Gunja is now 95 and faces significant health issues, including poor hearing, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, high blood pressure, and hyperthyroidism. His hearing has deteriorated to the point where even hearing aids are ineffective. He suffers from frequent hallucinations about old times and has significant memory loss, often failing to recognise his own children. His dental problems are severe, requiring him to eat only soft, blended food.

The Gurkha Welfare Trust has been a crucial lifeline for Gunja Bahadur Rai and his family. He started receiving a welfare pension about eight years ago, which has increased from Rs 7,000-8,000 to Rs 16,500 per month. This pension, along with a Home Carers Allowance of Rs 8,500 per month for his daughter-in-law, has been vital in managing his medical expenses and daily care. He receives home visits from medical staff every three months and has been provided with essential items such as a wheelchair, commode chair, and an air mattress, significantly improving his quality of life.

“We are really grateful and happy for the support the Gurkha Welfare Trust has given us. The welfare pension has been a huge help. I along with my family want to thank the donors from the bottom of my heart. Hope your support continues and helps people like my father and all the needy Nepali people.”

By entering this raffle, you are helping to provide this life-changing rehabilitation service for elderly Gurkha veterans and widows in Nepal. For 200 years they have fought for us – now, we fight for them.

For more information about our vital work in Nepal, please visit www.gwt.org.uk.