Death of ‘hero’ Gurkha champion

Published on 19/10/2012 00:27

The national spokesman for the Royal British Legion Scotland, who raised close to £1 million for veterans of the Nepalese Gurkha soldiers, has died at the age of 56.

Neil Griffiths was found dead at his North Fettes home in Edinburgh on Wednesday. He is believed to have passed away in his sleep on Sunday night.

Mr Griffiths, a former soldier, had spent the past 18 years working as the press officer for veterans’ charities Poppyscotland and the Royal British Legion Scotland.

He was known for organising and completing seven charity walks in areas including the Outer Hebrides that raised more than £900,000 for the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

Mr Griffiths’ sister, Rowena Griffiths, said the fund raising for the Gurkha Welfare Trust had been her brother’s crowning achievement.

She said: “He was a storyteller and a magical hero. He did amazing things and his knowledge of what was happening in the world and of history enabled him to bring to life things that had happened.

“He understood soldiers, he understood that rank structure. It gave him the basis to work with the veterans and offer the support that they required.”