Dozens of UK diasporans gather at Planet Nollywood in London to raise funds for good causes

DOZENS of Nigerians across the UK participated in a first-ever fundraising charity birthday event in London yesterday that saw the Dayo Olomu Foundation (DOF) raise £1,000 for two disability non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

In an event that took place at the Planet Nollywood restaurant in southeast London, community leaders, disability campaigners and charitable activists all came together to fundraise for good causes. Among those present were the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK chairman (Canuk) chairman Dr Boma Douglas, the former mayor of Enfield Kate Anolue, the former Canuk chairman Chief Bimbo Afolayan.

Dayo Olomu, said: "I am celebrating my 52nd birthday and rather than just have a party I decided to use the event as an occasion to raise money for good two causes. My target was to raise £1,000 for two NGOs and the two who are getting the cash are the Focus on Disability Foundation and the Mobility help for Disabled People in Africa and the UK."

"We managed to raise the money and the founders of the two charities Biodun Paseda and Dr John Adegbite collected the cash on behalf of both NGOs. We had together all the community leaders and decided that the best way to help ourselves was to raise money for good causes."

Dr Douglass added: "This is just an amazing event as we have all come together as one community to fundraise for causes close to our heart. We need to do more of this in our community to show that we are a united people all working towards a common goal."

After the cash was raised Ms Anolue presented a gift to Dr Adegbite and his wife in appreciation of their selfless work for people with disabilities. Dr Adegbite regularly hands out food to the disabled, homeless and less advantaged as he gets food parcels from Pret a Manger.

Among the other dignitaries present were Canuk's first vice chairman Ronke Udofia, its secretary Jumoke Ariyo and its public relations officer Jermaine Sanwoolu. In a  night filled with entertainment, guests were handed freed copies of Diaspora Magazine while they danced to music supplied by the DJ, combining fundraising with fun.