Banquet for Nepal children

Charles and Anne Barton’s dinner and jazz fundraiser was held at the Avatar restaurant in St Mary’s Road on February 7 when 78 people enjoyed a range of Nepali dishes as the Fino and Len guitar jazz duo played throughout the evening.

Held in aid of New Futures Nepal, a charity that Charles and Anne help run, the evening of food and music raised just under £1,400 for the charity. New Futures Nepal runs two children’s homes, including the Hope Centre, their main project near Kathmandu.

Avatar manager Suresh and chef Ram Chandra offered their services after learning about the work that New Futures Nepal has achieved over the last 14 years. All funds raised will go directly towards helping over 50 disadvantaged children who are orphaned, abandoned or disabled by providing them with loving homes, full time education and medical treatment.

“Over the years we have made regular visits to the two children’s homes supported by New Futures Nepal, alongside the other volunteer trustees,” commented Charles. “It has been so rewarding to get to know all the children and watch them grow and blossom as they move towards living full and independent lives.”

Because of this personal connection, Anne and Charles are able to explain to the charity’s supporters exactly how the money is used. Run by volunteers, administration costs are kept very low so that the children directly benefit from any funds raised, the core funding being regular donations.

Nepal was hit by a series of devastating earthquakes in April 2015. In the months that followed, the charity’s earthquake appeal supplied first aid kits, stretchers, zinc roofing and tarpaulins via their personal contacts in the region. The money raised at the Avatar event will support the charity’s current projects in Nepal and a water recycling system for the Hope Centre.

For more information about the New Futures Nepal charity, visit www.newfuturesnepal.org.