THE letter from David Waring (October 8) raised some interesting points. Gurkhas with 15 years service qualify for a pension which is probably enough to keep them in reasonable comfort in Nepal; those who did not qualify for a pension because they did not serve for 15 years - and that includes many who served in the Second World War - and their widows often live in abject poverty.

The Gurkha Welfare Trust was established "to provide financial, medical and community aid to alleviate hardship and distress among Gurkha ex-servicemen and their dependants".

The Trust operates 24 welfare centres throughout Nepal and one in India. These are manned by retired Gurkhas who investigate cases of hardship and "recommend appropriate aid".

The trust's administrative costs in Nepal are paid by the British Ministry of Defence and everyone in the Brigade of Gurkhas contributes a day's pay per year.

But the fund still needs to find £3 million a year to honour its present commitments.

A regular payment to the trust of £20 per month is enough to sponsor the pension for a named old soldier or widow. The address is The Gurkha Welfare Trust, PO Box 18215, 2nd floor, 1 Old Street London EC1V 9XB, or go to www.gwt.org.uk

L Mackenzie,

Elmpark View, York.

Updated: 08:54 Wednesday, October 13, 2004