Joanna Lumley, Dan Snow and explorer David Hempleman-Adams, who lives in Wiltshire, are among celebrities backing The Gurkha Welfare Trust’s “Our Duty of Care” Appeal which has launched this year.

Both Lumley and Snow will take part in the trust’s fundraising pageant in London this June when hundreds of serving soldiers will also perform in a celebration of 200 years of service to the Crown.

The Salisbury-based charity is running the appeal to provide vital medical support for elderly veterans in Nepal.

Lumley, who has long campaigned in support of Gurkha ex-servicemen, said: “Through The Gurkha Welfare Trust we can show our gratitude by helping to look after the old and infirm veterans, who cheerfully offered their lives for us during every kind of hardship and in every theatre of war, but are now in real need of our support.”

Gurkhas first fought on the British side in 1815 and have continued to do so in every major conflict since.

In both world wars they suffered over 40,000 casualties and gained renown for their valour and resolve. Many WWII veterans are still supported by the trust today.

Other famous names to back their cause include Forces’ Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn, Baroness Betty Boothroyd and actress Virginia McKenna.

Adventurers Kenton Cool and Hempleman-Adams, who lives in Box, are advising on Gurkha expeditions to Everest and the Arctic this May. They are also ambassadors of the trust.

The Gurkha Welfare provides financial, medical and community aid to nearly 7,000 Gurkha veterans and their families at risk of destitution in Nepal.

Details of the appeal can be found on the Gurkha 200 website www.gurkha200.co.uk/ourappeal

Swindon has been identified as a potential place for new homes being created for retired Gurkhas.

Measures to improve financial and social support for the former servicemen have been announced by the Government in response to an inquiry into Gurkha welfare and Swindon is among the locations being considered for homes.

Funding of £960,000 will be given to the company Gurkha Homes to build 32 new affordable homes for Gurkha veterans and their partners in four places in the UK.