Wolves former owner Sir Jack Hayward is backing a campaign to allow all retired Gurkhas to settle in the UK, it emerged today.

The multi-millionaire has donated £20,000 to the cause and said it was to “repay the debt” the country owes them. More than 2,000 former Gurkha soldiers have been refused permission to live in the country because they retired before July 1997.

But last month a High Court judge ruled the Government’s policy was unlawful and needed a review. 

The Nepalese fighters want parliament to change the ruling and have started up the Gurkha Justice campaign to try and bring about change.

Mr Hayward, who has a personal fortune estimated at £160 million, is now Wolves life-president after selling the club to Steve Morgan for £10 in 2007.

The 85-year old was a former RAF Flight Lieutenant during the Second World War and flew gliders behind enemy lines in Burma. 

“I am delighted to give something to the Gurkhas to help, in some small way, to repay the debt I and my country owe them,” he said.

“They came from a land thousands of miles away from the conflicts of war in which this country of ours had found itself involved. 

“They were never threatened, yet to a man they have volunteered to fight for us wherever they were asked. 

“I flew them into war in Burma in 1944, and I know from first hand their loyalty, their galantry and their un-swerving devotion to the British Army. 

“We owe them a debt we can never fully repay.” 

More than 200,000 Gurkhas fought for the allies during both world wars, with 43,000 dying. A Bill which would see all Gurkhas who left service before July1, 1997 granted permanent rights to live in the UK is going for a third reading at the House of Lords today. 

The tycoon has previously supported another military campaign, giving £500,000 towards restoring a historic Vulcan bomber.