Jit joined the Gurkha Brigade at the age of 18 and served for 13 years. A serious injury meant he had to have a below-knee amputation, which affected his mobility and independence. Our grant of £1,150 towards the cost of an electronically propelled vehicle has given him his life back.  

Jit served with the Gurkha Brigade from 1979 to 1992 in the 2nd Battalion Gurkha Rifles.  He was recruited in Nepal when he was 18 years old and completed his initial military training in Hong Kong. Jit spent time in both countries during his military service and was also posted to Brunei and the UK. He left the Army after 13 years, having achieved the rank of Corporal. 

On his discharge from the Army, Jit and his wife, Umaya, decided to stay in the UK. As he had served more than three years in the UK during his service, Jit was granted indefinite leave to remain. For many years, Jit has been employed as a cashier at a local Tesco store. Umaya has a job within the Army Garrison. 

However, following a very serious ankle injury, in November 2024, Jit underwent an operation to amputate his right leg, below the knee. This has drastically impacted his life and ability to work, and he was no longer able to drive. Adding to the family’s challenges, his wife was involved in a car accident the same year, leaving her unable to work for a considerable period.  

Jit met a SSAFA caseworker in January 2025, who contacted the ABF. We awarded Jit a grant of £1,150 towards the cost of an electrically propelled vehicle. This scooter has given back Jit’s independence, enabling him to carry out daily tasks such as shopping and visiting his GP.   

Jit says, “Before having the scooter, I had a wheelchair, and I didn’t go out much as I needed someone to take me. The scooter has made a vast difference; now, I can do anything I want. My thanks to the Army Benevolent Fund – the funding has helped change my life.”