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Asian
restaurants across the UK are taking part in a spicy fundraiser this
April, by getting involved with the World's Biggest Curry Lunch
event, which aims to raise at least £150,000 for the Army
Benevolent Fund (ABF), a charity which helps soldiers, veterans and
their families in need.
The aim of World's Biggest Curry
Lunch is to invite individuals across the UK to host a curry lunch or
dinner for family, friends, and colleagues in return for a donation
to the ABF. Many Asian restaurants across the UK are also taking part
and asking their customers to add a donation to the ABF to their
bill, and the charity is urging more Asian restaurants to get
involved in the event. The Army will be joining in too, in garrisons
and operational theatres across the world. The ABF are encouraging
participants to get involved or host their curry lunch during the
week beginning 21st April 2008, but are happy for restaurants to get
involved anytime during April or after.
The Gurkha Sandford Oriental
Restaurant near Wareham, Dorset is one such restaurant taking part in
the fundraising event from 21-24 April, they will match the donation
made by their customers to the ABF and will display special posters
to promote their involvement. Jennie Chung from the Ghurkha Sandford
said: "We at the Ghurkha Sandford take great pleasure in
taking part, it is a privilege to help the Army Benevolent Fund raise
funds, knowing that our donations will help those whose need is
greater than ourselves. Also by holding this lunch, it is a good
opportunity to promote the delicious tastes of Asian food. We wish
the charity good luck with the campaign and hope lots of curry will
be eaten and lots of money will
be raised!"
The ABF is the soldiers' charity
and has been providing financial and practical support to soldiers,
former soldiers and their families for over 60 years. The charity is
dependent on voluntary donations, and must currently raise over
£5.5 million each year to continue its vital work with the Army
family. The World's Biggest Curry lunch was launched in the face of
increasing demand for support from the Army, particularly in light of
the number of recent operational casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Lord Mayor of the City of
London will be hosting his own Curry Lunch for 1,000 people on
Thursday 24 April 2008 in Guildhall Yard, London, from 12 - 3pm with
the aims of raising money for the ABF and increasing awareness of its
work for soldiers, former soldiers and their families who are in need.
ABF Controller, Major General Sir
Evelyn Webb-Carter said: "Curry is a traditional dish of the
British Army, but this fun and unique event is something that
everyone can get involved in to support our brave soldiers, who need
our help now more than ever. We need as many people to get involved
in the event as possible, whether they are individuals or restaurants
and I would like to thank everyone who has signed up to take part in
the World's Biggest Curry Lunch so far. To get involved please visit
our website www.worldsbiggestcurrylunch.com"
The World's Biggest Curry Lunch
initiative is being supported by famous names including chef Gary
Rhodes, England rugby player Josh Lewsey, TV presenter Fern Britton,
actor Ewan McGregor who are all backing the event and urging people
to get involved.
Restaurants and individuals
interested in taking part in this fiery fundraiser, can visit the
website www.worldsbiggestcurrylunch.com
or by emailing bigcurry@armybenfund.org
or calling 0845 873 4831.
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