Lighthouse Walker Raises £50,000 for Gurkha Homes

An individual who traversed 9,000 miles, visiting lighthouses along Britain’s coast, has achieved his £50,000 fundraising goal, designated to finance three earthquake-resistant residences for Gurkha families in Nepal. Jim Morton, 64, a former Royal Navy serviceman from the 1970s and 1980s, initiated his fundraising efforts for The Gurkha Welfare Trust, motivated by the Gurkhas he encountered. Mr. Morton, a Barnsley resident, authored a book detailing his 8,903-mile (14,328km) journey, published in October 2022, under the title *I May Be Gone a While*. He commented: “Thursday was a very proud day for me because I sold the last of my 1,000 books and also, by coincidence, it just took me to my £50,000.” He further stated: “In 2016, some of the Gurkhas lost everything in an earthquake and we’ve had monsoons since. Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. Anything we can do to help is fantastic.” Mr. Morton, characterized as a lighthouse enthusiast, dedicated 537 days to walking across the UK, visiting 243 lighthouses. He currently delivers presentations at Rotary clubs and Women’s Institutes. Earlier this month, he received the Paul Harris Fellow recognition, an international Rotary award. In May of the current year, he commenced a walk connecting the five D-Day landing beaches in northern France. He finished this challenge on 6 June, marking the 80th anniversary of the battle. He remarked: “The money will still come in even though I’ve hit my £50,000 target by doing talks and lectures too, but it’s all about raising money for The Gurkha Welfare Trust.” The Gurkhas are described as humble individuals who have provided significant service to Britain in every conflict since 1814. Established in 1969, The Gurkha Welfare Trust provides financial and medical assistance to war veterans in Nepal and collaborates with communities to ensure access to clean water and education.