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Around 500 people gathered at the Hawkinge Community Centre yesterday (11 April to launch a campaign to build a lasting memorial to fallen Gurkha soldiers.
 

The event which was attended by Folkestone and Hythe MP Michael Howard, was held to encourage people to donate £50,000 towards building a tribute to the soldiers.

Designs are being considered for a statue to be built above the cliffs near Shorncliffe, close to where the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Gurkha Rifles are currently based.

Folkestone town councillor Dhan Gurung, who is believed to be the first retired Gurkha to be elected to a public office in the UK is organising the campaign.

The memorial is likely to be a statue of a modern day Gurkha in full battle dress, designed and made by a local artist. Ideas for designs were on display at the launch.

Tul Bahadur Pun Photos: Papparat	Lechiman Gurung

The event was attended by Tul Bahadur Pun and Lechiman Gurung, two Gurkha soldiers who were awarded the Victoria Cross for their efforts in the Second World War.

They were brought into the rally held in Hawkinge Community Centre in their wheelchairs to a rapturous applause.

A villager, known as PappaRat remarked: "It's not often you get to look history in the face and we certainly did just that by looking into the faces of these two heroes.

"But it was lamentable and embarrassing, to see the lack of white faces gathered.

"I was however stunned that whenever Britain was mentioned there were rounds of applause from the crowd.

"The smartness, politeness and friendliness of our Nepali/Gurkha friends and neighbours, who want to be part of our community, filled us with humility that such heroes want to live in Hawkinge" he concluded.