IT was almost noon on an ordinary day in the beautiful hillside village of Barpak, Nepal, when a disaster beyond comprehension struck.

An earthquake rocked the country, with its epicentre lying at heart of the Ghorka district, in a small village.

The devastation was widespread and far-reaching, with a death toll reaching 9,000 people.

More than 600,000 buildings were severely damaged or destroyed and countless families left homeless.

The Ghorka district is famous for its historical link with the legendary Ghurka soldiers.

Famed for their near-unmatched fearlessness, Gurkha units hold a firm place in the British Army to this day.

In total, 26 Victoria Cross medals - the highest award for gallantry the United Kingdom can bestow - have been awarded to serving Ghurkas.

The former Indian Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, famously said: “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha.”

There has long been a strong community of Nepalese people in Colchester, thanks largely in part to the settlement of more than 150 families of ex-Gurkhas. When the earthquake struck, they were left devastated at the mounting death toll and desolation that befell their beloved home country.

Just because this growing community now call Colchester their home, it did nothing to lessen the connection and sense of loss they felt across thousands of miles.

But there was a ray of light to be found in the community which had long welcomed them with open arms.

When the Colchester Nepalese Society, now some 800 strong, reached out to the people of Colchester, they could never have anticipated the response.

They took to the streets of Colchester and wider Essex with collection buckets, asking for donations, however small, to help with the recovery efforts.

Major (Retd) Udaibahadur Gurung, chairman of the Colchester Nepalese Society, said: “Crucially, in some districts up to 90 per cent of clinics and schools became unusable both hampering immediate recovery efforts and threatening the long-term health and wellbeing of the people of Nepal.

“Life is tough for everybody. Children in Nepal become adults very quickly even at the best of times.

“The earthquake and its aftermath put them under even more pressure.

“This is why it was so important for those of us in the UK and around the world to do whatever we could to help the people of Nepal deal with the situation following the earthquake.

“Thankfully, the people of Essex and Suffolk showed themselves to be second to none in generosity.”

More than £26,000 was raised by their efforts, but the difficulty now lay in deciding how to best utilise the funds.

Deciding against rushing into a short-term commitment, the society instead spent the years since the 2015 earthquake investing the cash in the building of two brand new schools in the Ghorka district.

Now standing as proud monuments of the society’s efforts are Shree Himalaya Secondary School, in Saurapani, and Shree Shanti Primary School, Lapu.

Prior to their construction the children had been studying in makeshift shanties.

Captain Umesh Kumar Pun MVO, who has visited Nepal eight times to aid in the recovery efforts and help oversee construction, said: “It may seem like a very small amount here, but it is very big for Nepal.”

In addition to the money, more than 60 boxes of clothing were donated by the generous people of Colchester and wider Essex.

These were delivered directly to where they were needed most by the society.

A remaining amount of £3,771 will be used to install solar panels at one of the schools.

An emotional Mr Gurung called the result a “legacy” for the charitable efforts of the people of Essex.

“In this way the difference made by the people of Colchester will be felt for years to come,” he said.

“By building schools, one is investing in the future. The generosity of people in Essex will have a lasting legacy.

“These news schools stand as evidence for all to see that charitable donations make a difference.”

The results of the society’s efforts were laid bare at a presentation in front of dignitaries at Firstsite gallery, in Colchester.

Sir Bob Russell, High Steward of Colchester, praised the link between Colchester and Nepal.

He said: “In Nepal when this tragedy happened you galvanised not just Colchester but the rest of Essex.

“It is magnificent and we are seeing the fruits of that fundraising.

“I and many other people in the Garrison town of Colchester recognise that you gentlemen served in her Majesty’s armed forces.

“You are here with your wives and your families and your children. I think I am right in saying that one Nepalese boy has been head boy at one of the schools in Colchester and many former Gurkhas drive our buses.

“Many thanks to all of you for making this your home and long may this cultural link continue.”