PRESS RELEASE: SEWA INTERNATIONAL RAISES £10,000* FOR BBC CHILDREN IN NEED

On Saturday, 27th June 2009, 50 supporters of Sewa International participated in a competitive sailing challenge in the Solent, which is a stretch of sea between Portsmouth & the Isle of Wight. It is anticipated that the total amount raised for BBC Children in Need will exceed £10,000.

Arup Ganguly, President of Sewa (North London) said: “We are delighted with the support provided to Sewa for raising funds for such a worthy cause as BBC Children in Need. Simple facts such as 1 in 20 children from the poorest households in the UK cannot even afford to celebrate their birthdays or that there are an estimated 200,000 homeless young people in the UK today, all bring home that we have issues that need addressing on our very own doorsteps.”

He added: “On an organisational note, we are encouraged that the event attracted participation from big city firms like Deutsche Bank and Barclays who fielded a team each. From the 50 novice sailors, almost 85% were first time supporters of a Sewa event. Given the economic recession, we’re thankful to everyone for raising such a terrific amount to support BBC Children in Need.”

BBC Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980, it has raised over £500m. The money contributed to Children in Need is distributed to organisations supporting children in the UK aged 18 and under who have mental, physical or sensory disabilities; behavioural or psychological disorders; are living in poverty or situations of deprivation; or suffering through distress, sex abuse or neglect.

 

 

 

 

NOTES:

1. For further information, contact Arup Ganguly on +44 (0)7788 598723.

2. Photo A caption: Rajen Shah & Vikas Pota of team Billie Jean working the ropes

3. Photo B caption: Winning team – ‘Billie Jean’ (L – R): Rajen Shah, Neha Sanghrajka, Sital Kotecha, Rupa Patel, Vikas Pota, Panna Vekaria, Ramakant Shah, Amira Shah, Sailesh Vekaria, Rakhee Shah.

4. Photo C caption: Sewa sailing challenge

5. * £10,000 is a conservative estimate of the total monies raised.

6. Facts provided by Children in Need:

There are an estimated 200,000 - 300,000 homeless young people in the UK today
1 in 4 children experiences some form of physical abuse
1 in 20 children from the poorest households in the UK cannot even afford to celebrate their birthdays.
There are at least 700,000 disabled children in the UK.
There are approx 51,000 young carers in the UK, young people who care for a relative with a disability, serious illness or mental health problem
There are about 75,000 kids with a moderate or severe learning disability in England alone!

7. About Sewa International:

SEWA INTERNATIONAL – www.sewainternational.com
SEWA VOLUNTEERS – www.sewavolunteers.org

In the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, Sewa means Service. In line with this definition, Sewa International is committed to working with local causes and charities by motivating a volunteer network to provide their selfless service and providing their know-how, expertise, money and most importantly – by giving their time.

Sewa International is a charity of Indian origin that came into prominence in the 90s when huge natural disasters affected India. Working in partnership with business leaders, politicians, civic society and local communities, Sewa International has raised substantial funds for various calamities internationally.

We are proud to have the support of people of all backgrounds for our campaigns, appeals and volunteering projects. We are a non-sectarian and non-governmental voluntary organisation regulated & supervised by the Charity Commission for England & Wales.

Sewa International is a service project of HSS (UK) which is a registered charity (no: 267309)

 

 

PRESS RELEASE: FINANCIAL CAPITALS UNITE: CANARY WHARF CANDLELIGHT VIGIL IN MEMORY OF VICTIMS OF MUMBAI’S TERRORIST ATTACKS

On the evening of Wednesday, 3rd December 2008, British – Indian charity SewaVolunteers (Sewa International), organised a candlelight vigil in memory of those who perished in the terrorist outrages in Mumbai. The two vigils took place outside the main entrance of Canary Wharf tube station and in the heart of the square mile – Liverpool St.

Commenting on the vigils, Arup Ganguly, President of SewaVolunteers said: “As someone who works in the financial services industry, I felt that we should stand shoulder to shoulder with our counterparts and colleagues in Mumbai. The symbolism of organising this at the two financial districts in London serves to emphasise that despite all the turmoil we see in the markets, we believe that the bond between our two cities is strengthened by a common goal of ensuring the prosperity & safety of our communities.”

It is reported that approximately 1,000 City professionals working in the two districts participated in the vigils.

The organisers would like to convey their gratitude to Howard Dawber and the team at Canary Wharf Plc; Manjit Buttar & Steve Kemp and their team at Canary Wharf tube station; Revd Dr Fiona Stewart-Darling, Canary Wharf Chaplain.

NOTES: SewaVolunteers promotes public service in Britain. Those interested in volunteering can register at www.sewavolunteers.org

Amongst those attending were:

Ms. Gillan Merron MP, Foreign Office Minister (representing the Government)
Mr. Tony McNulty MP, Minister for London
Mr. Richard Barnes, Deputy Mayor of London
Mr. Virendra Sharma MP
Mr. Stephen Pound MP
Mr. Barry Gardiner MP
Mr. Asif Ibrahim, Indian High Commission
Mr. Raveesh Kumar, Indian High Commission
Mr. S. A. Hasan, MD of Tata Ltd
Mr. Subhash Thaker, VP of Taj Hotels

 

PRESS RELEASE: 700 SewaVolunteers “Walk in Dark” to Help the Blind

On Saturday, 13th September 2008: Local charity, Sewa International, held a sponsored night walk in Kenton (Harrow) to raise money for two blind associations. Sewa International attracted almost 700 participants (mainly from London’s Indian community) for the event to raise money for the Middlesex Association for the Blind (MAB) and the Mamta Welfare Trust (UK) - who provides funds to a special needs school for blind children in India.

The night walk started at 7.00pm from St Gregory's RC School on Donnington Rd, Kenton, and followed a 5 km route finishing back at the school. The weather was perfect, the turnout excellent and the atmosphere brilliant.

President for Sewa North London, Arup Ganguly, said: “with 677 participants, we are overjoyed with the response to the event. This clearly shows that British Asians are keen to support local charitable initiatives – and not just repatriate money to projects in their countries of origin”. Ganguly added: “We must seize the opportunity and harness the UK Indian community’s willingness and ability to help those less fortunate. SewaVolunteers is well placed to channel this philanthropic energy toward worthy causes”.

The walk was flagged off by chief guest Hitesh Nathwani (CEO of the VB & Sons food-store chain, one of the event sponsors), to a fanfare of dhols (Indian drums) and conch shell blowing. Also in attendance were Cllr Paul Lorber (Leader of Brent Council), Cllr Harbhajan Singh, Cllr Vina Mithani, David Pearce (from MAB) and Dhruv Patel (from the City Hindus Network - CHN).

Mr Patel commented, “the CHN are very proud to have supported Sewa in putting on this successful event. The great turnout must surely reflect an increasing unity in our community and is another demonstration of our continuing contribution to life in the UK”.

“The Association (MAB) was delighted to be chosen as one of the charities to benefit from the Sewa ‘Walking in the Dark’ event. It was a great night. Our thanks to everyone who organized and attended the event. The funds raised will go a long was to helping Visually Impaired People both locally and in India and on their behalf we would like to thank you for Sewa’s support.", said David Pearce. Sewa International expects the final total raised, including direct donations, to be between £6,000 and £10,000. MAB anticipates that “monies will be used to purchase equipment for the Resource Centre and to support visually impaired people through the Home Visiting Service (e.g. recruit volunteers)”.

Sewa International recently launched its own volunteer network, the UKs first structured volunteering scheme to target the Indian diaspora. The 1.3 million Indian community in Britain is recognised to be charitable and supportive of causes internationally and in Britain, often repatriating huge sums of money to causes in India and elsewhere. However, this new initiative seeks to take advantage of their interest in volunteering by making it easier for them to find local groups and charities, which can make good use of their time, skills, and experiences. Monty Panesar, international cricketer and the face of the scheme, said: “I support SEWA Volunteers, please give some time”.

 

London, UK: On 7th November 2007, leading British charity – Sewa International pledged £35,000* to Macmillan Cancer Support & Refuge. 35 volunteers participated in a charity skydive to raise funds for these two causes.

Mr. Arup Ganguly, spokesman for the ‘Sewa Skydive’ said: “We are delighted to have raised such a large amount of money for these two causes. We are grateful to the 35 participants for their fundraising efforts and hope that the two beneficiaries are able to maintain the high level of services that they are associated with.”

On the strength of SewaVolunteers – a network of volunteers cultivated by Sewa International, he added: “We recognised that by developing a volunteer network, we would be in a far stronger position and be able to make a meaningful contribution to the quality of lives of those who are less fortunate. The mobilisation of funds through the SewaVolunteers network serves to emphasise that a charitable organisation, dependent wholly on volunteers can contribute in a significant manner. We have many opportunities and would welcome others to join hands with us.”

ON REFUGE:

Ms. Sandra Horley, OBE, Chief Executive of Refuge said: “Domestic violence is a serious crime that destroys lives. One woman in four experience domestic violence at some point in their life and two women are killed every week in England and Wales. Sewa International’s amazing physical and fundraising efforts will help support Refuge’s life saving and life changing work.”

She added: “We’re honoured to be one of the first charities Sewa International has chosen to support in the UK – their support will make an immeasurable difference to women and children fleeing terrible violence in their own homes.”

Ganguly added: “By supporting Refuge, we want to send a clear message that domestic violence is unacceptable. This money will help Refuge to reach out to the women who are living with domestic violence, or the fear of violence, and enable them to access help. This is an incredible important area to support and it’s gratifying to know that this money raised by Sewa International will help in saving lives.”

ON MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT:

Mr. Ciaran Devane, CEO of Macmillan Cancer Support said: "I am delighted that the staff of Sewa International have chosen to improve the lives of people affected by cancer by donating this fantastic amount of money - £20,000* - that they have raised to Macmillan Cancer Support. This will go towards a specialist Macmillan Pharmacist at the North West London Hospitals Trust. The pharmacist will make a real difference to the lives of cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy treatment by ensuring that patients' vital chemotherapy drugs are available when they need them, they are up to date, and they are effective. And the Pharmacist will provide reliable support and information about the medication and any side-effects patients might experience.

On Macmillan Cancer Support, Ganguly said: “Sewa International’s contribution towards the provision of a specialist pharmacist in North West London will ensure that chemotherapy drugs are available when cancer sufferers need them and that those provided are the most up to date and effective. Moreover, they will enable patients to have high quality information about their medication and any side effects they might experience”

NOTES:

1. * - £35,000 has been pledged by the participants of the skydive. The funds will be disbursed on a 60/40 basis in favour of Macmillan Cancer Support

2. Macmillan Cancer Support – www.macmillan.org.uk. Charity no: 261017

3. Refuge – www.refuge.org.uk. Charity no: 277424