Charles backs Lumley's Gurkha cause (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Charles backs Lumley's Gurkha cause

6:43am Thursday 17th December 2009

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Gurkhas champion Joanna Lumley has won the backing of the Prince of Wales 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.

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