The charity curry nights every Monday evening at the Bombay Lounge restaurant at Peatmoor Village Centre in West Swindon have struck a chord with community groups and charities across the town who want to raise money whilst enjoying an evening out amongst friends.

So far £2,500 has been raised for charitable causes. Pictured right, the Mayor and Mayoress  Michael and Sue Barnes with Bombay Lounge owner Hanif Robani, his wife Marla, left, Jasmkn Ali and dhol drummer Simran Randhawa

The evenings came about when Swindon Link publisher Roger Ogle asked Bombay Lounge owner Hanif Robani if he would be interested in running an evening for the Army Benevolent Fund.

He said, "I'd be interested in having a charity evening twice a month. Monday evenings are always a bit quiet so it'd be good to invite charities to come in and raise some money. I'm willing to commit all the profits from a Monday, from the restaurant, take-aways and home deliveries."

Community organisations have eagerly responded to the offer and Mondays (excluding Bank Holidays) are now booked up into the Autumn.

“It's gone better than I expected," said Hanif. "It's really great to see groups and organisations having a good time socially at the Bombay Lounge. But I must stress, Monday is not a special night just for them. Anybody can book a table for an evening out, but they'll know that some or what they're paying for their meal is going to that evening's good cause.

Swindon Link is coordinating the charity night diary. “Hanif has come up with an exciting win-win opportunity,” said Roger Ogle. “Small local groups and larger town wide charities can book a date. It’s a great way of promoting your group to restaurant customers. Group representatives can sell raffle tickets on the evening and you might be able to recruit volunteers as well.”

The Bombay Lounge Since we relaunched in November, the response to our adverts in The Link has been fantastic, but I want to go beyond a great eating out experience,” said Hanif. “We offer high quality fresh food and a contemporary ambience which has had a tremendous reception.But as the Bombay Lounge is situated in the middle of the community and I live in Oakhurst, I suggested to The Link that we work together to boost local organisations.”

Hanif believes that a charity or group can expect to receive a minimum of £250 from a Monday evening’s profits. It could be a lot more if they encourage all their friends, family and supporters to book a table at the Bombay Lounge. Call 01793 887799.

Call Roger Ogle on 608840 or mail: publisher@swindonlink.com if you would like to register a date for your cause.


Charity nights already booked and money raised
11 February - Raised £250 for bereaved families in the Kisumu district of Kenya, as a result of the confict in the country.

25 February - Raised £250 for Koalas Special Opportunities Playgroup at the Salt Way Centre, Middleleaze.
    
3 March - Raised £650 for the Mayor of Swindon’s charities - TWIGS - Therapeutic Work in Gardens and Swindon Cares (Swindon Therapy Centre for Multiple Sclerosis, Samaritans, Broadgreen Breakfast Club) + £130 on the raffle. The Mayor and Mayoress pictured with Hanif Robani, above.

10 March - Raised £650 for Swindon Therapy Centre for Multiple Sclerosis to meet annual running costs + £150 on the raffle. Pictured right, MS Centre trustee David Hughes with Hanif Robani
    
17 March - Raised £300 for the Lower Shaw Farm Childrens’ Project. Environmental education for pre-school children.

31 March - Raised £600 for Chernobyl Childrens’ Lifeline who provide respite care in Swindon for children from the village of Ozarichi in Belarus which is in the radiated zone affected by the Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster in 1987. Plus £75 on the raffle.Right, Hanif hands over a cheque to local CCLL organiser Gin McGiffin

7 April - Raised £700 for Epilepsy Action which provides free information and advice about coping with epilepsy and seizures.  Below: Hanif with Ken Kimber who organised the evening

14 April - Raised £400 for Swindon’s Prospect Hospice, which provides specialist care and support for people living with a life-threatening illness and their families.

Tuesday 15 April - Raised £600 for Animals Asia which saves Moon Bears in China and Vietnam from the cruelty of bear farms. Also £140 from the raffle.

21 April - Raised £100 for the Army Benevolent Fund which supports soldiers and their families in need of financial and practical help following injury or death in the service of the country.

28 April - Swindon Well Women Centre and Man@WWC. The centre provides free and confidential health advice and information to women and men. It has a funding crisis and is desperate for help.

12 May - Sunny Smiles Parent & Toddler Group, a small group for parents with pre-school children which meets in Roughmoor Social Hall, Peatmoor.

19 May - Swindon Tigersharks Amateur Swimming Club at the Link Centre. Raising money to sponsor swimmers attending a training camp in Florida in 2009.

2 June - Breakthrough Breast Cancer. The Swindon & Wiltshire Branch is raising money for the national charity fighting breast cancer through research and education.

9 June - Homestart Swindon. Supporting families cope and care for pre-school children.

Tuesday 10 June - Trailblazers. Raising money to provide children with disabilities more opportunities to enjoy outings and adventurous play.

16 June - Coleview Juniors U9s Football Club, in aid of a new kit.

23 June - Friends of the Hydrotherapy Pool, raising money to support the water pool therapy facility used by people with disabilities.

30 June    - Ashington House Patients Representative Group. Improving patient facilities at Ashington House Medical Centre

7 July - Blunsdon Colts Football Club, raising money for kit and equipment

14 July - Swindon Ocotal Link. Raising money for projects in Swindon's twin town in Nicaragua.

28 July - Britannia Majorettes. Supporting the girls who perform at shows and fetes all over the south-west.

4 August - Family Mediation Swindon. Helping couples and communities resolve disagreements and find ways forward.

11 August - West Swindon Ladies Group. A social night out for women living in West Swindon

18 August - Swindon Mela, post event party and raising money for Mela 2009

1 September - Headway. Helping rebuild lives after head injury.

8 September - Naomi House Children's Hospice. Caring for children with life limiting conditions.

15 September - Toothill Junior Youth. Providing fun activities for 6 to 15 years olds at Toothill Farm social centre.

22 September - Friends of Swindon Young Carers. Supporting young people who care for others

29 September - Swindon School of Gymnastics. Raising money for promising young gymnasts to travel to China to train.

6 October - Friends of Oliver Tomkins School, Toothill, supporting school activities

13 October - Lights for Learning, the Cricklade based charity that invented a solar power lighting system which can be used in homes and schools without electricity www.lightsforlearning.org

20 October - Bobbie's School of Dance. Raising money for 16 dancers invited to perform in Los Angeles in April 2009. Pictured right.

27 October - SHOC: Stop Harming Our Children Swindon. Promoting information about nutritional, medical, environmental and psychological threats to children.

3 November - The Samaritans, Swindon branch

10 November - North Wiltshire Group of NACC (National Association of Crohn's & Colitis) to promote national 'Red Hot Day' to raise awareness for Crohn's Disease and Colitis. 

17 November - Moving Soon Appeal - Swindon MS Therapy Centre. Raising money for their move to a purpose built centre in West Swindon.

24 November - Freshbrook Playgroup, raising money for the Starfish Appleal in aid of the Mountbatten Ward liver specialist centre at King's College, London

1 December -  Chernobyl Childrens’ Lifeline to provide respite care in Swindon for children from the village of Ozarichi in Belarus which is in the radiated zone affected by the Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster in 1987.

8 December - Swindon’s Prospect Hospice, which provides specialist care and support for people living with a life-threatening illness and their families. The care it provides is free of charge and is offered in partnership with community and hospital services.

15 December - Animals Asia which saves Moon Bears in China and Vietnam from the cruelty of bear farms