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Gurkha memorial campaign launch Gurkha memorial campaign launch
(about 10 hours later)
A campaign to raise funds for a national memorial to fallen Gurkha soldiers is to be launched. A campaign to raise funds for a national memorial to fallen Gurkha soldiers has been launched.
Supporters want a statue to be erected on the cliffs above Folkestone, Kent, where the 2nd Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles are based.Supporters want a statue to be erected on the cliffs above Folkestone, Kent, where the 2nd Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles are based.
Folkestone town councillor Dhan Gurung who is leading the campaign said "some 45,000 Gurkhas have laid down their lives for Britain" over the years.Folkestone town councillor Dhan Gurung who is leading the campaign said "some 45,000 Gurkhas have laid down their lives for Britain" over the years.
The memorial is likely to be a statue of a Gurkha in full battle dress.The memorial is likely to be a statue of a Gurkha in full battle dress.
'Lost brave Gurkhas''Lost brave Gurkhas'
Mr Gurung, who is thought to be the first retired Gurkha elected to a public office, said: "Over the generations, some 45,000 Gurkhas have laid down their lives for Britain.Mr Gurung, who is thought to be the first retired Gurkha elected to a public office, said: "Over the generations, some 45,000 Gurkhas have laid down their lives for Britain.
"They are still doing it today.""They are still doing it today."
He added: "Within the last few months alone, we have lost two brave Gurkhas.He added: "Within the last few months alone, we have lost two brave Gurkhas.
"I am calling on the whole country, and on everyone from across the world who holds the Gurkhas in high regard, to help support this memorial."I am calling on the whole country, and on everyone from across the world who holds the Gurkhas in high regard, to help support this memorial.
"We are asking individuals, groups and communities to support us by donating to our memorial fund.""We are asking individuals, groups and communities to support us by donating to our memorial fund."
Various designs for the memorial, which will probably be designed and made by a local artist, are being considered.Various designs for the memorial, which will probably be designed and made by a local artist, are being considered.
Victoria Cross heroes, Tul Bahadur Pun and Lachhiman Gurung are expected to attend the campaign launch, at the Hawkinge Community Centre in Hawkinge on Saturday. Scores of people attended the campaign launch at the Hawkinge Community Centre in Hawkinge on Saturday.
Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years and are hand picked from a fiercely-contested recruitment contest in Nepal to win the right to join.Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years and are hand picked from a fiercely-contested recruitment contest in Nepal to win the right to join.
They have seen combat all over the world, with 200,000 fighting in the two world wars.They have seen combat all over the world, with 200,000 fighting in the two world wars.