VETERAN Scottish broadcaster Sandy Gall is to share his Afghanistan stories at a Westminster event tonight.
The former ITN broadcaster made his name covering the Vietnam war before later telling the world about Afghanistan’s battles.
His charity, Sandy Gall’s Afghanistan Appeal, was founded in 1983 to provide the public there with prosthesis and physio.
Currently in its 35th year, it has aided tens of thousands of patients, including those with complex cases.
Now the former News at Ten presenter is to join MPs and experts at a cross-cultural event in the Houses of Parliament tonight.
Gall, who lives in Kent, is amongst the speakers due to address the gathering in honour of Afghan national hero Ahmad Shah Masoud.
The military leader, who resisted the Russians and Al-Qaeda, was assassinated in a terrorist attack in 2001.
The event occurred two days before the World Trade Centre atrocity which contributed to the country’s current instability and the death of the mujahideen commander is marked by a week of commemorations in the landlocked south Asian country.
Organised by Glasgow Afghan United, the London event will also feature Afghan ambassador Said Tayeb Jawad and Scots MPs Patrick Grady, Paul Sweeney and Alison Thewliss.
Abdul Bostani, chair of Glasgow Afghan United, praised Malaysia-born Gall for his in-depth coverage that marked his career.
This includes several non-fiction books on issues facing Afghanistan, such as the 1988 publication Agony of a Nation.
Bostani said: “Sandy Gall is the first journalist who entered Afghanistan during the Russian invasion.
“He has a special connection to Afghanistan and travelled there many times, saw the suffering of the people and started his own charity to help the people with injuries as a result of mines.
“He has written about the country and our national hero, who was resisting the Taliban and Russians. He is also working on another book.
“Sandy Gall knows more about Afghanistan and its people than many others do.
“That is why it was important to have him attend this event and say a few words to share that information at a time when we celebrate Ahmad Shah Masoud and celebrate the contributions made to the UK society by Afghan people.”
Writing about his life and career in The Express last year, Gall said he admired the Afghan resistance to the Russian invasion. He went on: “I’ve had a marvellous life and Afghanistan has played an important part in that.
“I return there every year. It’s very much like Scotland – mountainous, beautiful and the people are very hospitable. But unlike Scotland, there’s no whisky.”
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