ONE of the world’s most historic buildings played host to a celebrated British Army Band in support of old soldiers and their families in Nepal.
Durham Cathedral resounded to the sound of the Band of the Brigade of the Gurkhas and the Pipes and Drums of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles as the regiment celebrated its bicentennial year as one of the country’s most distinguished fighting forces.
Organised by The Gurkha Welfare Trust, the charity concert, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary, helps to provide welfare, healthcare and pensions for former soldiers and their widows as well as helping those devastated by the earthquakes in Nepal which killed more than 9,000 people and left millions more homeless.
Managing director of family run car dealership Sherwoods Alasdair MacConachie, who has sponsored the event for the past 15 years said: “It’s wonderful to welcome so many people here to such a magnificent building to celebrate 200 years of loyal service by the Gurkhas.
“My dear late father commanded a battalion of the 5th Gurkhas in Burma so this cause is especially close to my heart.
“I am delighted to have been able to be a part of The Gurkha Welfare Trust concerts for the past fifteen years and will continue to do all I can to support our retired soldiers and their families in memory of my father.”
The event which saw hundreds of people fill the cathedral was organised by the chairman of the Yorkshire branch of The Gurkha Welfare Trust, Lt Col Keith Ryding.
“Over the past 15 years we have raised more than £150,000 and the continued support from Sherwoods’ means that every penny of that goes to help veterans and families in Nepal,” said Col Ryding, who served with the Gurkhas for nine years with the Queen’s Gurkha Signal Regiment and Parachute Company.
“The Gurkhas have served this country impeccably for two centuries and I could not think of a better setting in which to pay tribute to them this evening.”