IMG_1276Proceeds raised from next year’s Leicester Curry Awards will be split between two local charities; Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project (LAMP) and Care of Police Survivors (COPS).

The two charities will receive 3% revenue from individual ticket sales along with additional funds raised through a charity auction on the night.

Romail Gulzar, Founder of the Leicester Curry Awards, said: “We feel extremely passionate about using this huge platform to celebrate the work of local charities like LAMP and Care of Police Survivors. It’s important to raise awareness and the much needed funds so they can continue doing the great work that they do.”

One in six people experience a common mental health problem in the UK every week*, which is why the work of charities like LAMP is very important. The organisation provides mental health advocacy, along with information and advice services to help improve and develop mental health provision across the local area, with the charity’s advocates working tirelessly to ensure those experiencing mental health issues have their voices heard, rights respected and views represented.

Sue Langley, CEO of LAMP, said: “We are thrilled to have the support of the Leicester Curry Awards. Mental health remains a growing issue and many people still suffer in silence. At LAMP, we continuously look to find ways to spread awareness of the charity and this event will be a great platform to enable us to do that.”

The second charity supported by the event is COPS; a dedicated organisation which helps to rebuild the lives of the families of police officers who have lost their lives on duty.

Founded by former retired police officer Jim McNulty and widow Christine Fulton MBE, the charity offers help to families in three key forms; peer support – which comprises of survivors from around the UK wiling to assist others in a practical way, newsletters – to keep survivors informed about key developments, and events – where survivors are joined by representatives from the police family and the general public to remember those who lost their lives.

Simon Cole, Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police, said: “We are very touched that the Leicester Curry Awards 2018 will be getting behind COPS in 2018. It’s important for us to be able to support the families of those officers who dedicated their lives to the force and worked hard everyday to keep the public safe.”

A total of £4,000 was raised through the awards launch event which was split between Crimestoppers UK and the Rik Basra Leukaemia Campaign.

The 2018 awards will be taking place on April 22nd at Athena, Leicester.