Funding boost for Wales Gurkha community

The group are recipients of an Awards For All Big Lottery Fund grant of £4,869 to help with the running costs of their annual Wales Gurkha Open Day event held in Cwmbran.

President of the Wales Gurkha Community, Narendra Limbu, said: “We are honoured to have been given this funding.

“It means we can present an even better event this year, maintaining our principal of free entry for all and with a family friendly atmosphere.

“We will make sure this money is used to help improve cohesion and bring benefits to the wider community of Cwmbran where we are based.”

Last August, Gurkas who fought in the Falklands and Iraq raised awareness of their culture with knife demonstrations, food and dance.

The event, which took place on August 25 at the TA centre in Cwmbran, was the first for the group.

The ex-servicemen and their families gathered at the centre to help raise awareness of the contribution the Nepalese-born soldiers have made in the British Army since the 19th century.

More than 70 Gurkha families live in and around Cwmbran including Mr Limbu, a Falklands veteran of Llantarnam Road.

The free open day in Ty Coch Way featured Gurkha folk dances with army kukri knives, performances by a retired Gurkha bagpiper, displays of Gurkha tools and curry dishes.

The event continued the efforts actress Joanna Lumley has made to highlight the sacrifice Gurkhas have made to preserve the British way of life.

Awards for All provides voluntary and community groups with a quick and easy way to get small National Lottery grants of between £500 and £5,000 for projects which aim to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need.

The programme encourages a wide range of community, health, educational and environmental projects.

“Better to die than be a coward” is the motto of the Nepalese Gurkha soldiers who are an integral part of the British Army.

They still carry their traditional weapon, an 18in long curved knife.