24 June 2008
Reading West Conservatives have raised £1,200 for local Gurkha veterans as part of a fund raising effort which included selling second-hand books at the Tilehurst Show and seeking donations from individuals.
Alok Sharma, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Reading West, joined local Councillors Tom Steele, Emma Warman, Jenny Rynn and Terry Byrne together with fund raisers Sandra Vickers and Lena Garvie at the offices of the United British Gurkhas Ex-Servicemen’s Association in Reading to make the presentation of the donation. Retired Corporal Mr. B. Rai, Retired Private Mr. G. Rai, Retired Lt. Mr. Gurung and Retired Sgt. Mr. L. Sharma represented the Gurkha veterans at the presentation.
Retired Warrant Officer Mr. Gyanraj Rai, accepting the donation on behalf of the Gurkha Ex-Servicemen's Association said: "We are absolutely delighted to receive this donation which will go towards helping Gurkha veterans who find themselves in financial difficulties and a very big thank you to Reading West Conservatives for undertaking this much appreciated fund raising effort."
Alok Sharma said: "I am pleased that through this fund raising effort we have been able to play a small part in supporting our local Gurkha veterans in Reading. A big thank you to all those who have given so generously towards our fund raising efforts – it is clear that Reading people recognise and appreciate the enormous contribution that the Gurkhas have made and continue to make in the British Army, standing side by side with other brave service men and women, in defence of British interests around the world."
Councillor Tom Steele said: "We will of course be continuing the petition we also launched at the Tilehurst Show calling on the UK Government to deliver a fair financial deal for the Gurkha veterans as well granting them the same right of settlement in the UK as Commonwealth citizens. The Gurkhas have been loyal friends of Britain over many centuries and they deserve a fairer deal."
Alok Sharma, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Reading West, joined local Councillors Tom Steele, Emma Warman, Jenny Rynn and Terry Byrne together with fund raisers Sandra Vickers and Lena Garvie at the offices of the United British Gurkhas Ex-Servicemen’s Association in Reading to make the presentation of the donation. Retired Corporal Mr. B. Rai, Retired Private Mr. G. Rai, Retired Lt. Mr. Gurung and Retired Sgt. Mr. L. Sharma represented the Gurkha veterans at the presentation.
Retired Warrant Officer Mr. Gyanraj Rai, accepting the donation on behalf of the Gurkha Ex-Servicemen's Association said: "We are absolutely delighted to receive this donation which will go towards helping Gurkha veterans who find themselves in financial difficulties and a very big thank you to Reading West Conservatives for undertaking this much appreciated fund raising effort."
Alok Sharma said: "I am pleased that through this fund raising effort we have been able to play a small part in supporting our local Gurkha veterans in Reading. A big thank you to all those who have given so generously towards our fund raising efforts – it is clear that Reading people recognise and appreciate the enormous contribution that the Gurkhas have made and continue to make in the British Army, standing side by side with other brave service men and women, in defence of British interests around the world."
Councillor Tom Steele said: "We will of course be continuing the petition we also launched at the Tilehurst Show calling on the UK Government to deliver a fair financial deal for the Gurkha veterans as well granting them the same right of settlement in the UK as Commonwealth citizens. The Gurkhas have been loyal friends of Britain over many centuries and they deserve a fairer deal."
