Support needed for Gurkha walk
Thousands of people are to walk 100km through the South Downs National Park on July 25 to 26 to raise life saving funds for Oxfam and The Gurkha Welfare Trust.
Oxfam Trailwalker organiser, Louise Gebbett, said: “I want to thank all those who have committed so far to take on the 100km trek, and who have already raised over 250,000 to support the relief work in Nepal.
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Hide Ad“Many signed up since the earthquake struck. Now we welcome even more brave participants who can help us and The Gurkha Welfare Trust raise as much as possible for the people of Nepal.”
Originally a Gurkha training exercise, now Trailwalker sees ordinary people trekking day and night across the beautiful South Downs National Park, starting in Petersfield and ending in Brighton.
Participants are joined by Gurkha teams from four regiments, and they are yet to be beaten.
The course record sits at an incredible nine hours and 50 minutes, but the average public finishing time is a more realistic 27 hours.
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Hide AdDuring Trailwalker Gurkha soldiers will be across the course, delivering the logistics of the event.
The Gurkhas from Nepal, have seen widespread destruction to their Nepalese communities as a result of the recent earthquake.
Oxfam and The Gurkha Welfare Trust are both on the ground assisting in the humanitarian effort by providing water, sanitation, shelter and community support.
The Gurkha Welfare Trust was established in 1969 to relieve hardship and distress among Gurkha ex-servicemen and their dependants. It remains the leading Gurkha welfare charity, working primarily in Nepal.
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Hide AdCaptain Matt Bennett of the 250 Gurkhas Signals Squadron, said: “2015 is a huge year for Trailwalker.
“Not only are we celebrating the 200th anniversary of Gurkhas servicing to the British Crown, but we are also raising vital funds to assist with the humanitarian situation in Nepal, and those most in need elsewhere”.
Captain Bennett added: “We are so grateful to all those taking part. Trailwalker is a huge test of mental and physical endurance, and a once in a lifetime challenge.”
Entries are still open for the 2015 event. To sign up or for more information, visit www.oxfam.org.uk/trailwalker
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