A team of four “Gurkha Girls”, all wives of soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan are putting their stamina and fitness to the test to take part in the Trailwalker 2010. This is a 100km run/walk across the arduous terrain of the South Downs to be completed within 30 hours on the 17/18th July. The money they raise will be split equally between the Gurkha Welfare Trust and Oxfam, who organise the event.
40km in One Weekend!
Training has started and they completed easily 40km last weekend and when their feet began to hurt, they appreciated the need to train hard, but felt no room for moaning with the realisation that their husbands’ tasks in Afghanistan include at least that distance daily while carrying all their heavy kit and body armour in serious heat.
100km in under 21 Hours and 27 Minutes!
This I have no doubt will motivate this team to the bitter end and will certainly be an enormous achievement if we can raise significant funds to support both charities, which we firmly believe will make all of those within the Gurkha community enormously proud and if running or walking 100km in 30 hours were not already challenging enough, the “Gurkha Girls” are hoping to beat last year’s fastest women’s team time of 21 hours and 27 minutes.
The Gurkha Welfare Trust
The Gurkha Welfare Trust works to provide necessities such as water and sanitation facilities, schools, medical assistance and financial help to Gurkha communities. The Trust also gives educational grants and provides vocational training to the children of the Gurkha regiment. A welfare pension and medical treatment is also provided to around 10,000 Gurkha ex-servicemen and widows living in Nepal who face destitution.
Can You Support the Charity?
We would be delighted if you are able to support the “Gurkha Girls” in their challenge. The website for donations http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/gurkhagirls alternatively donations can be sent to (cheques made payable to Mrs. Cathy Strickland) The Gurkha Girls Trailwalker 2010, c/o Engineer House, West Road, Folkestone Kent CT20 3HH (cheques made payable to Mrs. Cathy Strickland)
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Well done to you all. We all admire what your brave men are doing for our country. Hope the feet aren’t too sore!