InTouch with homeless in Leeds

TEAM: The team of volunteers raised almost £1,300 for charity through their event last week

Records broken as support for charity continues to grow

For the past 18 months, a mobile soup kitchen charity in Leeds has been serving up warm meals to those most vulnerable in the city and now, following a hugely successful fundraising event this month, even more dishes can be prepared.

The InTouch Foundation was first established in Bradford and expanded across West Yorkshire as the need for such services was realised by the charity’s founders.

Earlier this month, the first InTouch family fun evening took place in Leeds, with almost 200 visitors heading down to Headingley’s Cardigan Centre to browse endless stalls and raise money for charity.

From henna to face-painting, food stalls to clothes, and even threading and massages, there was something for every person, who together helped raise £1,200 for the charity.

Leeds co-ordinator, Fawziyah Javed, organised the event and said she never expected so many people to attend.

“In the build up to the event we had 140 tickets printed and all of them were sold,” she said. “We even had people coming down after this so there were around 200 in total.

“There were points in the build up where I was thinking, ‘what if only five people turn up’, but everyone pulled together and made the event a huge success.

BUSY: Over 200 people attended the InTouch family fun evening earlier this month

“We had stall holders from as far away as Oldham and Bolton come down on the day and a big thank you goes out to all the sponsors and volunteers for their incredible efforts.”

100 per cent of the proceeds from the event will go directly to the InTouch Foundation to help provide hot meals and drinks in Leeds every Tuesday evening.

Last week, the team of volunteers broke their own record for dishes served in one night with over one hundred meals handed out.

Fawziyah adds: “Last Tuesday we served 109 people their meals and it is only through word of mouth and events like the family fun evening that we can raise awareness.

“The InTouch Foundation feeds the needy and those who are most vulnerable in society. The work carried out by our amazing volunteers is truly appreciated and I look forward to seeing the charity continue to grow.”

The Leeds InTouch volunteers gather every Tuesday at Oxford Row in the city centre from 6.30pm until 8pm.

Gov-ing the extra mile

FUNDRAISING: A cheque is presented to the Chitrakoot Project UK from members of the Govindbhai Foundation

Family foundation raises £12,000 for local causes

A charitable foundation in Bradford, established by a local family in memory of their late father, surpassed their latest landmark of donations this past week as they hit the £120,000 mark.

The Govindbhai Foundation was set-up nine years ago by the Mistry family and every year hosts fundraising events for selected causes, locally and internationally.

This year, Bradford-based Fulfil the Wish and Chitrakoot Project UK, were selected with each charity receiving a cheque worth £6,000 last week.

Set up by a team of nine brothers and sisters, alongside their mum, spouses, children and grandchildren, the Govindbhai Foundation is a unique family-run operation.

Hosting events throughout the year to raise money, fundraisers held a number of initiatives over the past 12 months including an Abba tribute night, a charity auction, a champagne reception and a casino night.

SUPPORT: Every year, the family-run foundation raises money for two charities, pictured here with representatives from Bradford’s Fulfil the Wish

Eventually raising £12,000, the money was shared equally between the two selected causes.

Foundation spokesman, Harkishan Mistry said he was delighted to see so many people come out to support the foundation.

“Our ninth annual dinner dance was a fantastic evening with 250 people coming along,” he said.

FAMILY: Amongst the fundraisers this year were 10-year-old Elina and seven-year-old Hannah, who completed two of Yorkshire’s Three Peaks to raise over £700

“This year we took a new approach to fundraising. In addition to our main event, six members of the family took on the challenge of the Yorkshire Three Peaks climb.

“Two of the younger members, 10-year-old Elina and seven-year-old Hannah, completed two peaks and raised over £700.

“It's so satisfying to see the whole family getting involved and best of all, we've spent nine years successfully fundraising - while having fun.

“I'm delighted that once again we managed to raise so much money. It'll make a huge difference to children's lives.”

Fulfil the Wish is a registered charity, which was founded in 2000 by Mary Appleton, a registered nurse, to provide activity and sightseeing holidays for children and young people with disabilities and complex health needs.

Speaking about what the donation means to the families involved, Ms Appleton said: “On behalf of the charity and the children who will benefit I would like to say a massive thank you to the GB Foundation for their donation of £6000.

“The money will go directly towards our 2016 Disneyland holiday, the total cost of which is around £21,000 each year, as the cost for each disabled child is around £400.

“This holiday enables children who have lifelong disabilities the opportunity to experience the dream of Disneyland; children who are not eligible for support from any of the major wish charities as their disability is lifelong as opposed to life limiting, but living with their disability each and every day.”

Likewise, Naresh Sharma, Chairman of the Chitrakoot Project UK, which helps children in rural Indian communities, thanked the group for their support.

“We are extremely thankful to GB Foundation for this donation which will make a huge difference to the lives of the children we will now be able to treat,” she added.