An 83-year-old Broughty Ferry woman has turned the last page on her remarkable fund-raising effort for a far-off community that has bravely answered the call to fight for this country.
The story of Isobel Turner’s quest to help Gurkha veterans will go on, as she has endeavoured to continue to support the charity, although not with book sales at her home.
A former singing teacher, Mrs Turner has raised nearly £10,000 for the Gurkha Welfare Trust mainly from sales of books since 2003.
She has no direct connection with the Gurkhas, but growing up during the second world war she read of the heroism of the Nepalese soldiers who fought alongside British forces against the Japanese.
They responded to the call to serve in conflicts, only to return to their Himalayan homes and a life of virtual poverty.
“They are such brave people and have come to fight for Britain even though it is a place far from where they live and which they will probably never visit,” she said.
“They have earned great honours, including the Victoria Cross, but after the hostilities they return to live in Nepal. They don’t receive as good a pension as Gurkhas who enter military service.
“I have twice visited Nepal to meet them and see where they live. They do receive a small pension, but people here would say that they live in poverty compared to others who have fought for this country.
“I just feel they are such a deserving cause and, with a lot of support, I have done what I can to help them by raising money to go to their pensions.”ProceedsFor the last eight years Mrs Turner has held annual sales of second-hand books at her home and sent the proceeds to the Gurkha Welfare Trust.
The books have been donated by friends, neighbours, relatives and fellow members of Broughty Ferry New Kirk.
Now less able to fetch and carry the often weighty tomes, she decided last weekend’s venture would be her last.
She has counted the takings and found they have come to £1185.50 which, added to the £7805.20 raised from previous sales, means she has collected £8990.70.
“I’m really grateful to all my friends and family for helping me by donating books and coming to the sales, I’m just sorry that I can’t keep them going because some of the books are quite heavy and I can’t lift and carry them as well as I used to,” she continued.
“It would be great if I could get the total up to £10,000 and I will keep fund-raising for the Gurkhas, but not through organised book sales. I will be doing various other things.
“I still have quite a lot of books left over from the last sale, so people can still come along to see and buy them if they give me a call.”
Katherine Ayres, deputy director of the Salisbury-based Gurkha Welfare Trust, said, “What Mrs Turner has done is nothing short of extraordinary, and the generosity of people in Dundee and across Scotland for the trust has been remarkable.
“She has gone about this task with the vigour and tenacity that we would expect from a Gurkha supporter, and we are extremely grateful to her and all the people who have gone to her book sales for raising this amazing sum of money.”
Anyone interested in buying any of Mrs Turner’s remaining books should call her on 01382 477761.