Posted: 23/11/09
First foundation cash boost
A gala dinner and silent auction at West Nottinghamshire College’s No 19 Brasserie has raised £784 for principal Asha Khemka OBE’s Inspire and Achieve Foundation.
The dinner was the first fundraising event for the charity, launched to raise the aspirations of under-achieving young people in Mansfield and Ashfield.
The Foundation’s new co-ordinator, Lauren Leverton, is now promising a host of money-spinning events and activities in the New Year to bring in vital funds to help young people across the area.
Lauren said: “We want to involve as many members of the community in our fundraising over the coming months as possible, as essentially it’s the young people of Mansfield and Ashfield who will benefit from it.
“I’m delighted with the amount raised on the night, which will go towards our first steps in helping these individuals.”
Mrs Khemka launched the Foundation at the House of Commons in April 2008, when she was joined by Ashfield MP Geoff Hoon, Mansfield MP Alan Meale and Sherwood MP Paddy Tipping.
Since then, it has established a board of trustees chaired by Nottinghamshire businessman Nat Puri, appointed a co-ordinator and become a registered charity.
The Foundation aims to set up a mentoring programme to provide young people with role models from the business community to help them develop the right attitudes and self-confidence to succeed.
Short overseas trips will be planned to enable them to experience different cultures, businesses and education so they can nurture their new-found drive and ambition back home.
Mrs Khemka OBE said: “I’m delighted our fund-raising drive is now under way and especially grateful to everyone who helped make the inaugural event such a success. We all have a role to play in making sure that young people within our communities have the best possible chance of success.”
