Help For Heroes & Tamu Dhee UK

By Hon Lt Chandra Gurung
Chief Co-ordinator,Executive member TDUK (2008-2010)

I believe that everyone in the UK from the Nepalese community must be familiar with the name Tamu Dhee UK. It is a social organisation founded in the year 2000, with the motive of conservation of culture, language, religion and tradition of gurung community. The organisation considers serving this ethnic group in a macro level, and organises a various events annually to foster the natural aptitudes of new generations and to unify the gurung community in one. Beside the above objectives, the organisation also is aware to help needy and disadvantage people by raising funds for National and international charities since its inception.

On 1st Nov 2009, TDUK organised a Charity Lunch at Shehnai Banqueting Suites in Reading, with the following aims:

1.   Help for heroes:
1.1. To promote and protect the health of men and women of British Armed Force who have been wounded in the service, by raising funds to purchase equipment for their rehabilitation.
1.2. To support other charity organisations that assist members of the Armed Forces i.e. Causalities and their dependents, by raising funds and donations.
2.   Tamu Dhee UK:
2.1 To raise fund for renovation of Tamu (Nepalese) Community Centre, which was bought recently in Mychett, Surrey.
3.   Public Relation:
3.1 To improve and maintain Public relation with the British communities and organisations, and also to built the strong bond amongst Nepalese communities.
The Charity lunch was attended by local dignitaries, intellectuals, diplomats, Councillors from London Borough of Hounslow Council, senior members of SSFA, high ranking retired and serving British and Gurkha officers, serving soldiers and officers from 1 RGR, QG Signals, QOOGLR, Businessmen, British communities, various Nepalese communities totalling more than 500 people.

Deputy Mayor of Reading Borough Council, Mr Gul Khan, chief guest of the event, presided the programme. Special guests for the event were The Heroes Lcpl Lacchuman Gurung VC, Lt (QGO) Tul Bahadur Pun VC, Cpl Tej Bdr Ghale 1 RGR, Lcpl Netra Bdr Pun 1 RGR and CplDamian Green 2 Para.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Devise, Berkshire County Coordinator for Help for Heroes, also kindly attended the event.

The event was underpinned with a full of entertaining programmes and a pleasant and flavourful three-course meal. Cultural dances and cocktail break dance were outstanding which were performed by Sapan entertainment and Mr. Shamir Gurung respectively. The Zen Martial Arts presented a magnificent demonstration of martial skills, which was leaded byCapt Indra Gurung and his team. TDUK is very grateful to Capt Indra and his team, and Mr. Shamir for their free contribution.

The whole programme was live telecasted and watched by 80,000 people from all around the globe.

The co-ordination committee members were Hon Lt Om Prakash Gurung MBE advisor TDUK, Mr Kamal Gurung advisor TDUK and Mr Surje Gurung Gen Secretary TDUK who cordially helped to organise the event. Young children from Char Bhanjyang Tamu Samaj, Reading Tamu Samaj and Nuneaton Tamu Samaj volunteered supported the event. I would like to thank each one of you for the support and contribution towards this noble cause.

The organisers managed to raise total sum of £6,000 through the generous support of the attended guests and other donors. The President of TDUK Mr Subasing Gurung BEM presented a Cheque of £3,500 to Mr Peter Davis, the County Coordinator for Help for Heroes, and £2500 for Tamu Dhee UK. Mr Peter Davis expressed his great appreciation to TDUK and Gurkhas contribution for the Britain.

As being a Chief coordinator of the event, I would like to express my gratitude to British Communities, who came forward and supported us, SSFA members, Councillors from London Borough of Hounslow Council, Capt Deo Bdr Gurung advisor of Chaar Bhanjyang Tamu Samaj, Maj Kusiman Gurung MVO, GM 1 RGR and members of 1RGR who whole heartedly supported us and donated considerable amount of money, Maj Sovit Hamal MVO, GM QOGLR and members of QOGLR, Maj Yam Kumar Gurung GM QG Signals and members of QGS, Mr Surya Gurung President NRN and all members of NRN, Brig JS Brewery CBE, Maj Damber Ghale MVO, Capt Gary Ghale, Miss Anita the host, all Tamu Dhee UK Ekais, all Nepalese associations, all retired British and Gurkha soldiers and Officers, Nepalese and local medias, Nuneaton Nepalese Samaj, BFBS, NTV, DC Nepal and all donors who supported for this event. Without the kind support of these donors, this event would not have been succeeded. I am proud to say that we all have demonstrated our solidarity and supported for our Heroes, who are fighting for the Queen and the country scarifying their lives leaving their loved ones behind.

Without any doubt, the event with the theme, help for the heroes was a huge success and enjoyed by all the attendees, who clearly expressed their satisfaction to the organisers and praised for the noble act. Apart from that, their contribution and presence for the purpose count, as the event was organised for the noble cause to raise fund for the heroes of the country, which will at least help to bring smile on the face of Heroes. Thank you once again for all the supporters and we look forward for the same kind of support for our heroes in the near future.