TWO Nepalese security guards at a Basingstoke shopping centre have raised thousands of pounds to help the victims of the earthquake in their homeland.

Tilbikram Sambahangphe and Chandra Limbu, who work at The Malls, have raised more than £4,000, which will go towards helping the thousands of people affected by Nepal’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake and aftershocks.

The duo, both former Gurkhas, dressed in military uniform on two occasions, inviting shoppers to donate to the cause.

They also held a balloon auction during a separate event in The Malls, where professional balloon artists created various designs that people could bid for at the end of the day.

The earthquake has affected many of Tilbikram’s family and friends back in Nepal, including his three brothers, all of whom live in Kathmandu.

The 53-year-old, of Fabian Close, Kings Furlong, said: “My second and third brothers are finding it quite difficult and the houses where they were living were destroyed by the earthquake. They are now living outside in a field.”