GURKHA soldiers at Buckley Barracks have raised more than £1,200 for rural families affected by a series of devastating earthquakes by putting on a charity curry lunch.

The base near Stanton St Quintin is home to several Gurkha soldiers and their families, some of whom have loved ones living in makeshift shelters in the wake of the colossal 7.8 magnitude quake in April and then a second quake that registered at 7.3 on the Richter Scale in May.

Sgt Bhola Sunuwar is one of those whose village was all but levelled in the quake and he spearheaded the effort to raise funds at the base.

With help from Dhan Shrees and Nirmal Gurung a huge Gurkha curry was served up to hundreds of soldiers and officers at the base for a suggested donation of £3 per head.

Sgt Sunuwar explained that while his village had been virtually destroyed he knew most of his family was safe.

He said: “It’s very sad, we’re devastated actually. I’m one of the luckiest but other people are not so lucky.”

“People there in the devastation need help so we’ll pass this money we collect on to where it is most desperately needed.”

After a quick speech from RSM WR1 Llyod Diprose explaining the significance of the event and the seriousness of the fundraising the troops dutifully marched in to the dining area and dispatched a massive quantity of Nepalese food.

Sgt Sunuwar said he was extremely grateful to the soldiers and officers at the base for making the event possible and for turning out in such great numbers to support his friends and family in their time of need.