IMPACt REPORT
1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025
WELCOME FROM THE CEO
Dear Supporter,
This past year has once again been one of remarkable activity and achievement for The Gurkha Welfare Trust. Among many highlights, our delivery of medical care to international standards stands out as a defining feature of our work both for the number of people reached and because it now represents our most significant area of expenditure. This shift reflects not only the growing scale of our responsibilities on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence, supporting around 24,000 registered Service Pensioners but also our continuing dedication to our core charitable mission: caring for our Welfare Pensioners with dignity and compassion.
March 2025 marked the completion of our final water projects delivered in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, bringing to a close a decades-long collaboration that has transformed lives across Nepal. While this long and fruitful chapter has ended, our commitment to providing clean and accessible water continues. Through our new, consolidated Project Cell, we are now bringing even greater focus to our community work - building and improving schools, providing water and sanitation, and running medical camps in some of the most remote areas of the country.
Our Area Welfare Centre retrofit programme also continued apace, with four centres upgraded this year to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff and the protection of the infrastructure that underpins our nationwide support network. We look forward to beginning work on AWC Bagmati in Kathmandu during FY25/26.
Another important milestone was the formal endorsement by our Board in May of our new Safeguarding Cell - a dedicated team providing a vital lifeline to our most vulnerable beneficiaries. As the needs of our pensioners evolve and become more complex with age, this work is increasingly essential to ensuring that no one is left without the help and protection they need.
The global context in which we operate remains uncertain, shaped by conflict, economic pressures, and political challenges. Yet the Trust remains resilient. Our strength lies in our people: the dedication of our teams in Nepal and the UK, our enduring partnership with the MOD, and above all, the generosity and loyalty of our supporters.
To all of you who continue to stand with us - thank you. Your compassion and trust enable us to deliver the care and respect that every veteran deserves.
Thank you on behalf of us all,
Al Howard
Chief Executive Officer, The Gurkha Welfare Trust
HOW WE WORK
INDIVIDUAL AID
In the form of the Welfare Pension, Disability Support Grants, Festival Allowance, Welfare Grants, Home Carer’s Allowance, Funeral Grants and our Earthquake-Resilient Homes. These are provided to ensure that our core beneficiaries, Gurkha veterans and their families, are able to live with dignity.
Enhanced support is provided to veterans and widows living in our two Residential Homes, marked on the map below. Additionally, residential rehabilitation services are provided through the Residential Homes as well as mobile outreach services. Free primary medical care is provided to all eligible individuals as well as subsidised secondary healthcare treatment.
COMMUNITY AID
Provided in the form of schools, accessible drinking water and medical camps, the primary beneficiaries of these activities are the general public.
These activities support the Trust’s licence to operate in Nepal through provision of support to the wider community from where the British Army continues to recruit.
OUR IMPACT
For an organisation with relatively few resources in the UK, the Trust continues to deliver an impact far above its weight in Nepal, thanks to the incredible support from donors.
Though at its core, the support of elderly and vulnerable Gurkha pensioners remains a priority, our wider services across Nepal continue to deliver an exponential impact.
The medical service available to all Gurkha veterans and their dependants is now our most expensive service to deliver but also the one which generates the biggest impact across Nepal. In a country with no national health service and often little or no access to medical care at all, the professional service the Trust delivers grants veterans and their families the basic human right to effective healthcare.
The Trust also provides free dental support to its Welfare Pensioners, and a new dental outreach programme at the more remote Area Welfare Centres to ensure all our beneficiaries can access dental care.
CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE
Financial Aid (£3.96m)
We paid a pension worth 17,500 Nepalese Rupees per month to over 2,900 vulnerable Gurkha veterans and widows.
We provided a Disability Support Grant to 249 people. We also paid an enhanced Welfare Pension to welfare pensioners living with multiple disabled children. In addition, we paid a Home Carer’s Allowance to 294 carers for providing 24/7 care and support to our most vulnerable pensioners.
The Welfare Pension, Disability Support Grant and Home Carer’s Allowance were increased at a rate above inflation to support our most vulnerable beneficiaries.
Welfare Support
(£4.76m)
During the year, we provided 1,515 hardship grants, 219 funeral grants and built 68 new Earthquake-Resilient homes for Gurkha veterans and widows.
We retrofitted and upgraded 41 existing Earthquake- Resilient homes. We also constructed 49 toilets for our welfare pensioners and provided immediate support to 9 welfare pensioners through the designated Disaster Response fund.
Medical Aid
(£9.36m)
Over 21,000 patients accessed GWT medical services and our medical teams undertook over 6,000 home visits.
Over 9,580 rehabilitation treatment sessions were provided either in the home or through our medical centres.
We provided over 155,000 consultations with a GWT health service professional and over 1,500 patients were screened and tested for cancer. 22 pensioners were admitted to the residential homes on a temporary basis for rehabilitation, palliative care or respite care.
We treated over 1,749 patients at our medical camps in Darchula, Dadeldhura, Bhojpur, Rukum East, and Falebas.
Water and Sanitation
(£1.50m)
Last year we completed 28 water projects, installed 2,336 tap stands benefitting over 11,500 people in 2,257 households. A further four repair projects were completed.
Schools
(£1.19m)
We constructed two major two-storey schools including libraries and library training, 15 school extensions and 107 minor and three major school refurbishments.
Residential Homes
(£0.51m)
Last year there were 40 permanent residents across our two Residential Homes. They were also used as hubs to rehabilitate 22 patients.
OUR YEAR IN NUMBERS 2024-25
NPR17,400
per month
We provided a pension of NPR17,500 per month to over 2,900 Gurkha veterans and widows.
NPR17,400
per month
We provided NPR17,500 per month of Disability Support Grants to 249 recipients.
20,000
patients
Over 21,000 patients accessed our medical services, with over 155,000 individual consultations taking place.
1,400
hardship grants
We distributed 1,515 Hardship Grants and 219 Funeral Grants.
0
permanent residents
We had 40 permanent residents across two residential homes.
9,400
rehabilitation consultations
We supported pensioners with over 9,580 rehabilitation consultations.
“Our team - which includes three doctors, two physiotherapists, and a phlebotomist - focuses on patient-centred care. Using evidence-based guidelines and modern technology, we not only treat illnesses but also work to promote overall health and prevent disease.”
– Dr Nirmala Rai
0
earthquake resilient homes
We built 68 new Earthquake-Resilient homes, and refitted and improved 41 existing homes.
0
school refurbishments
We built 2 major schools projects, completed 15 minor extensions, and carried out 110 school refurbishments.
0
water projects
We completed 28 water projects and installed over 2,336 tap stands, getting clean water to over 2,257 households.
194
carers
Home Carer’s Allowance of NPR8,750 was received by over 294 carers.
10,400
people trained
We provided Disaster Risk Reduction awareness training to over 10,500 people.
14,500
welfare cases
We saw over 15,080 Welfare Advice Centre cases in the UK.
OUR FUNDRAISING PERFORMANCE
OUR FUNDRAISING PERFORMANCE
The Trust remains committed to transparency and ensuring that donors have complete clarity over the way their money is spent and the impact it achieves.
For every £1 we spent on fundraising last year, we raised £4.54 which is still above sector average (which is currently £4).
Last year the Trust raised £13.16m through its fundraising, which came in from generous individuals, our Trusts and Foundations partners, corporates, fundraising events and legacies from our kind supporters leaving a gift in their will.
FUNDRAISING STRATEGY
This year (2024/25) represented the second year of the Trust’s five year
fundraising strategy.
The strategy focusses on developing support amongst the Trust’s existing donor-base, developing the organisation’s legacy strategy and increasing restricted income for community aid initiatives such as school builds and water projects.
There also continues to be a need to further communicate the enormous span of activity that is now delivered in Nepal beyond the traditional Welfare Pension that is paid to the most vulnerable Gurkha veterans and widows. This is addressed through a concerted
communications strategy.
WHERE DOES MY DONATION GO?
Last year, for every £1 of income, The Gurkha Welfare Trust spent just 13p on fundraising (including management of our investments) and 87p on supporting Gurkha veterans, widows and their wider communities.
“One of the most rewarding moments in my job was receiving heartfelt blessings from a pensioner. I still remember their words: “At such a young age, you’ve done such wonderful work. You felt just like my own granddaughter. Keep doing such good work.” Moments like these make every day meaningful, motivating, and truly memorable.”
– Medical Centre Nurse Susmita Dalami
FUNDRAISING INCOME
Over the course of the year the total fundraising income was:
Total fundraising expenditure was
Legacy income was £5.33m, 73% of which came
from previous GWT supporters.
FUNDING PARTNERS
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to provide an annual Grant in Aid (£3.50m) towards staff and administration costs of the GWT(N) in support of welfare delivery. The MOD also provides a Grant in Aid in support of the Trust’s healthcare provision for veterans in Nepal, which increased to £5.80m in line with increased beneficiary registrations for medical services.
OUR APPEALS
We sent out three fundraising appeals with our Samachara newsletter, and a special appeal from our Chair in November. We are immensely grateful for your incredible generosity in responding to these appeals.
None of the work we do would be possible without you, our supporters.
SERVING THE GURKHA COMMUNITY
OUR TEAM AT THE BUTWAL MEDICAL CLINIC
The Clinic is dedicated to providing comprehensive primary healthcare, ensuring Gurkha veterans and their families
receive the medical advice, treatment, and support they need. Services range from general check-ups, screening and vaccinations to rehabilitation and provision of mobility aids.
“Every day, we deal with different patients and have unique experiences. I would like to share the story of a dependent who was on multiple medications due to her multiple chronic conditions. We noticed that she was not interested in any kind of conversation which made counselling difficult.
“We did not just dispense her prescribed medications, rather we tried our best to strike up a conversation with simple questions. Gradually, she opened up and shared her frustrations with taking multiple pills every day. We took time to explain the need for the medication, the risk of not taking the, and the advantages of taking them in a simpler form.
“By the end of the conversation, her expressions had changed - she looked more relaxed and reassured. Since then, she visits the clinic with a warm smile and is much more open about her health. We continue to discuss small steps she can take to feel better and stay healthier.”
– Snia Rai, Pharmacist at Butwal Medical Centre
The clinic sees on average
500
patients per month, around 25 patients a day.
THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDRAISERS
THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDRAISERS
Throughout the year our supporters have put in incredible efforts to raise funds for the Trust and tackled a range of races and tough challenges.
Legendary supporter Jim Morton is ever closer to his goal of raising £50k for the Trust, having walked the length of the D-day beaches and traversed the Pennine way solo in just 16 days! In September 2024, eight individuals from company Softcat, in collaboration with their Armed Forces and Veterans Network, walked 100 miles along the South Downs Way in 40 hours.
TRAILWALKER 2024
This was the second year GWT has delivered the event as sole charity, and it was a truly incredible weekend.
Over 270 teams of four signed up, and the atmosphere at the start line was electric as they prepared for a gruelling 100km trek across the rolling South Downs.
It was a triumph for the winners, Gurkha Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, who came through the finish at an incredible time of only 9 hours and 23 minutes - breaking the record time set 20-years ago!
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Other highlights of our fundraising year were:
- London Marathon
- London Landmarks Half Marathon
- The Doko Challenge South
- Gurkha Golf Day
- Tailwalker
- Carols by Candlelight
- The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas in Concert
- The GWT Annual Auction
- The GWT Raffle
- Chilli & Spice Recipe Club
- Host a Gurkha Curry Night
- Chillies for Change