Bishwa Gurung

Some memories aren't just stored in the mind; they are etched into the very soil of your childhood. For me, that soil was the parade ground of an Army Camp. The scent of polish, the sound of bugle calls, the sight of proud families – this wasn't just a backdrop to my life; it was my life. I was born in the British Military Hospital in Hong Kong and grew up in the Army Camp surrounded by Officers' families, as my father was an officer. From that moment on, the rhythm of the Army has been the steady drumbeat of my existence.

It’s a rhythm that led me to join the British Army in 2004, a path I still walk today. And it’s a rhythm that now calls me to a different kind of march – a deeply personal pilgrimage known as My Frontline Walk.

This walk is more than just a physical challenge. It is a journey back in time, a silent promise I made long ago.

Every step I take will be for the veterans of WWII. But my heart will be taking each one for a specific man: my grandfather.

My grandfather was a Far East Prisoner of War. He endured the unimaginable at the hands of his captors. The torture he suffered left him paralysed for the rest of his life. He carried the visible and invisible scars of that conflict every single day. I walk for his courage, for his silence, for the future he fought for but was forever altered from enjoying. I walk because he no longer can.

When I look at our soldiers and veterans, I don't just see comrades-in-arms; I see my family. It’s a bond forged in shared experience, in sacrifice, and in the unspoken understanding of a life dedicated to service. That’s why this cause is so profoundly close to my heart.

I am raising funds for the Army Benevolent Fund, the national charity of the British Army. They are there for our soldiers, veterans, and their families when they need it most. They provide a lifeline, offering practical and financial support through times of injury, bereavement, and hardship. They are the helping hand that ensures no one in our Army family is left to fight their battles alone.

Please, help me help them.

Any contribution you can make, no matter the size, will make a real and tangible difference. It’s a way to honour the legacy of my grandfather and every single person who has worn the uniform. Click the 'Donate' button on my page and be a part of this vital mission.

The more people who know about the Army Benevolent Fund, the greater their impact. So, I ask you not only to give if you can but to please spread the word by sharing my page with your friends and family.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your generosity. It means more than I can ever put into words.

With deepest gratitude,

Bishwa