Tonight:
5°c
Prince Charles backs Joanna Lumley's Gurkha fundraising effort
17 Dec 2009Gurkhas champion Joanna Lumley won the backing of the Prince of Wales today as she returned to the campaign trail to raise millions of pounds for elderly veterans in Nepal.
The actress is hoping to raise £10 million for 10,000 Gurkhas and their widows in the wake of her success in securing the right for veterans to settle in the UK.
Launching the campaign, Lumley said: "Our debt of honour to the Gurkhas remains. They helped fight our wars and keep our peace. They stood up for us and now is the time to stand up for them. There are 10,000 very elderly veterans in Nepal who need our support right now."
She was due to read out a message of support from Prince Charles during the launch.
The message from the prince read: "The money will fund a variety of vital projects, including the provision of a monthly welfare pension for 10,000 gallant Gurkha veterans and widows; help provide much needed medical care and provide essential services such as the provision of water and sanitation in Gurkha villages.
"These projects will help ensure these wonderfully loyal and courageous men receive the support they so deserve."
The Debt of Honour campaign, launched with the Gurkha Welfare Trust, claim many veterans are surviving on little more than £30 a month.
All the money raised will go towards providing monthly welfare pensions, medical care and community aid projects for Gurkha villages.
The Gurkhas launched legal action against the Government in a bid to have the arrangement declared unlawful and almost 100 MPs have signed a Commons motion backing their case.
Gurkhas celebrated this summer when a long campaign, fronted by Lumley, secured the right for all those with four years' service to settle in the UK.
Anyone wishing to donate can find out how at www.debtofhonour.org.
Reader views (5)
She is doing a fantastic job, as for bonnie prince charlie who is a multi millionaire, how much is he pledging exactly?
- P Staker, London, W8, 17/12/2009 13:27
Report abuse
I served with the Gurkha's in Malaya during 1949/51 and was proud to wear their Cross Kukri Emblem on my uniform. They have always been ready to fight for us, now its our turn to support them.
- Norman Bayes, Romford Essex, 17/12/2009 13:20
Report abuse
You might be loaded Lumley, not sure the rest of us are. Brown is giving away all our money to the third world countries anyway. Trillions in debt as a nation and you want us to give away even more?
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 17/12/2009 12:47
Report abuse
You are doing wonderful work Joanna. Deeds speak louder than words. The Gurkhas are the bravest of the brave and need to be looked after with fair pensions. My father and his cousin, both Irishmen, paid the ultimate sacrifice serving with the Irish Guards in Tunisia and Anzio, Italy. Many men from small nations like Nepal and Ireland made a huge contribution to the Allies war effort in World War Two.
- Phil Harris, Ireland, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Ireland., 17/12/2009 11:05
Report abuse
Very heart touching and impressive photo, I just pray for you, Joanna L. You are doing excellent job for this life and etenal. GOD bless you and give you good health to fight for the welfare of the human being irrespective of race, religion,coulor.Just serve the human being pls.GOD will help u.
- Chishty, London, 17/12/2009 08:38
Report abuse
