Sharma attends Gurkha charity night
30th July 2012
On Saturday 21st July 2012, Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West was invited to attend and speak at a charity night show organised by the Reading Ex-British Gurkha Association (REBGA).
The charity show was organised to celebrate the establishment of the REBGA as an official charity last year and to raise money to support Gurkha veterans in Reading. The event, which was held at the Warehouse on Cumberland Road in Reading, saw guests entertained by a live band and a selection of curries were provided for dinner. More than 400 Gurkha families attended the evening and around £3,000 was raised for the charity. Alok was invited to speak at the event as a chief guest, together with Reading East MP, Rob Wilson and Deputy Mayor Councillor Deborah Edwards.
The REBGA was founded in October 2006, and has members of all retired British Gurkhas who reside in and around Reading area. The charity estimates there are around 2,500 Gurkha families residing in and around Reading. The main objective of the organisation is to promote goodwill and co-operation amongst the Ex Gurkhas living in Reading, and provide welfare and financial support to the members and its dependants. It also endeavours to preserve and maintain the culture and traditions of the Gurkhas, and foster good relationships between all Nepalese communities and the British people.
Alok Sharma said: “Over the past years I have maintained a close contact with the Gurkhas on a range of issues and it is really pleasing to see how well integrated the Gurkha community is becoming in Reading, with some even starting up local businesses. I am quite sure the Reading Ex-British Gurkha Association will go from strength to strength in the years ahead.”
Mr Ram Galami, chair of the Reading Ex-British Gurkha Association said: “The evening was a great success and raised a significant amount of money for the charity. The charity programme will continue in future to support Gurkha veterans in Reading.”
Photos: (Top) Alok Sharma, Rob Wilson and Councillor Deborah Edwards cut ribbon at Reading Ex-British Gurkha Association charity evening. (Bottom) Alok Sharma and Rob Wilson speak at Reading Ex-British Gurkha Association charity evening with Ram Galami, chair of the Reading Ex-British Gurkha Association (right)
