A PACKED house reverberated to the sound of a military brass band in an annual fundraiser designed to relieve the plight of retired soldiers in Nepal.
The Band of the Brigade of the Gurkhas and the Pipes and Drums of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles returned to Darlington for the spectacular which raises much-needed funds to help provide welfare, healthcare and pensions for retired soldiers and military widows in Nepal.
Organised by the chairman of the Yorkshire branch of The Gurkha Welfare Trust, Lt Col Keith Ryding, of West Burton, near Leyburn, the concert featured an eclectic mix of military, folk and band music culminating in the Brigade of the Gurkhas March.
Col Ryding told the audience: “It is your contribution that ensures the Gurkha Welfare Trust can carry out its work. Be in no doubt that you are the trust’s greatest asset.
“Without your support thousands of ex-soldiers and their families would be living in abject poverty but with your help they live out their lives in dignity.”
The concert has been sponsored for the past 14 years by family Vauxhall dealer Sherwoods, whose managing director Alasdair MacConachie has close links with the Gurkhas.
He said: “Once again the community rallied to the call to help soldiers whose loyalty to this country knows no bounds. As ever, the repertoire was fantastic and everyone enjoyed it immensely.”
