Welcome Change was delighted to be chosen by Mahirs Experience, award-winning catering and event-management company, as its Charity of the Year 2017 and thrilled to receive a cheque for £2,162.50 raised through Mahirs’ unique menu tasting service.
Mahirs is a family run business, which specialises in providing authentic Indian cuisine together with complete event management for both private and corporate events. It has an innovative way of raising money for charity, whilst providing a first rate dining experience for those keen to sample its menus. Clients are given the option of paying for a seven course meal, served in beautifully dressed surroundings, to give them a flavour of what to expect and what to choose for their own event. When they book, they also learn about the charity being supported.
In 2015, Managing Director Harvir Sahota attended the Goldman Sachs 1,000 Small Businesses UK Programme at Aston University with Joanne Mackinnon, Chief Executive of Welcome Change, the trading arm of Welcome charity. “I was greatly impressed by Jo’s passion and plans for Welcome Change, which included hosting a wide variety of community events” he says, “and so when it came to choosing our Charity of the Year, it seemed like a natural fit.”
In 2016, Harvir and his team dressed the hall at Welcome Change’s Community Centre to help promote it as a wedding venue. “Although our year of specifically raising money for Welcome Change has come to an end, we intend to keep in touch and support the charity in other ways if we can,” says Harvir. “We believe it has an important role to play in the community.”
Sally Edwards, Chair of Welcome Change’s volunteer Board, and David Wootten, fundraiser for Welcome and Welcome Change, collected the cheque from Mahirs’ West Bromwich base. “It was quite an experience,” says Sally. “We were bowled over by the décor, the food served and the generosity of the company in raising money for us.” David Wootten said: “We will be using the money to purchase staging and a big screen for our hall, which will enable us to host community performances and start a film club.”
The presentation cheque is currently proudly on display at Welcome’s Shard End charity shop.
-
- Table dressed for an event at Mahirs Experience
-
- Collecting donation from Mahirs Experience
-
- Presentation cheque proudly on display at Welcome Charity Shop Shard End