An Evening with Lt Col Johnny Fenn, The Gurkha Welfare Trust Nepal

“A story about Nepal; but more than that, a story about people. “
— Hari Budha Magar MBE

Join us at the VSC, for an inspiring evening with Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Fenn exploring an extraordinary journey across Nepal unlike any other.

📍 Friday, 16th October 2026
🕛 18:00-20:00 (to include arrival drinks of Prosecco, bottled beer and soft drinks)
🎟️ Tickets £20 per person

Please note: Tickets for this event are on sale now and must be booked directly on the Ticket Source website. They are not available for purchase from the VSC. All ticket sale proceeds will be equally shared between the VSC Charity (including support towards fully funded Respite & Welfare Breaks for serving personnel) and the The Gurkha Welfare Trust Nepal.

In 2023, before taking up his appointment as Field Director of The Gurkha Welfare Trust Nepal, Johnny set out to walk the length of Nepal from west to east – entirely on foot, without a map, and relying solely on the people he met along the way.

Over 114 days and nearly 2,000 kilometres, he crossed remote hill districts, river valleys and mountain ridgelines, sleeping in a tent, staying with local families, and experiencing a side of Nepal rarely seen by outsiders.

What began as an adventure soon became something much deeper. Travelling at walking pace opened doors to conversations and friendships that would never have happened from the window of a vehicle. Along the way, Johnny encountered extraordinary generosity, resilience and humour from people living in some of the most remote communities in the country.

Illustrated with stunning photography and personal stories from the trek, this presentation brings to life the landscapes, cultures and communities of Nepal through the eyes of someone who spent four months immersed in them.

Part travel story, part adventure, and part reflection on what really matters in life,  The Nepali Way: 114 Days Crossing Nepal Without a Map  is a fascinating account of a journey measured not in miles, but in people.

Whether you have a military connection, an interest in Nepal and the Gurkhas, a love of travel, or simply enjoy hearing stories of remarkable human experiences, this promises to be an entertaining and thought-provoking evening.

Drawing on material from his forthcoming book,  The Nepali Way: 114 Days Crossing Nepal Without a Map , Johnny will share photographs, stories, challenges, lessons learned, and the unforgettable people who made the journey possible.

About the Author

Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Fenn served 25 years in the British Army, including 16 with the Brigade of Gurkhas. An explorer and professional photographer specialising in adventure and expedition work, he walked the length of Nepal in 2023; 114 days and 1,400 miles from Baitadi to Taplejung without a map…raising £50,000 for the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

His earlier book Light and Life in the Middle Hills captured life in the hills; The Nepali Way now tells the full story of that extraordinary trek, the people he met, and the landscapes that shaped it.

Johnny is currently Field Director of the Gurkha Welfare Trust in Nepal.