A KNOWLE-based Indian restaurant has gone beyond the point of call to raise £14,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Situated on Knowle High Street, Ellora organised a special fundraising event to mark the venue’s 47th anniversary.
The Bollywood-themed dinner dance attracted a capacity crowd of more than 200 guests, including Solihull Lord Mayor Coun Mike Robinson.
Funds raised include a donation from Barclays Bank PLC, support from a raffle draw and a charity auction.
Among the guests on the night were Solihull couple Neil and Toni Robinson, who had their first date at the venue – and celebrated their 19th anniversary on the eve of the event.
The evening was tinged with poignance at Coun Robinson shared his personal story about losing his 36-year-old daughter to cervical cancer in February 2010.
Coun Robinson said: “I miss my daughter everyday – she fought the cancer to the very end.
“As a father it is devastating to sit with your child while she slowly slips away you feel so inadequate and it is beyond heart breaking.
“Her memory lives on and yes I am sad but also proud to have had such a wonderfully brave and lovely daughter.”
“A third of families will during a lifetime experience cancer in one form or another.
“The consequences for those with the condition and for the family can quite literally be life changing.
“We must do all we can to find a cure for this insidious and indiscriminate disease.”
A five-course meal followed the grand opening before Bollywood dancers, a henna artist and a sitar player entertained guests.
Ellora’s manager Mash Hakim said: “I am genuinely overwhelmed at the generosity of our well-wishers, our customers – tonight was a memorable evening.
“It makes us enormously proud and gives us great satisfaction in giving back to the local community whose loyalty and sincerity continues to motivate us.”
