Peace through Friendship - A UPF / WFWP fundraising event to support the people of Nepal in Birmingham, United Kingdom

“Peace through Friendship” A UPF / WFWP fundraising event to support the people of Nepal Birmingham, United Kingdom, 8. August 2015

By David Earle offered for Cllr Yvonne Mosquito, the West

A Midlands Deputy Police Crime pproximately 200 people came Commissioner who was to have been our together on Saturday August 8th main guest speaker, and who had to cancel to help raise money for the at the 11th hour. He also thanked Mrs Tina ongoing effort to help the people of Nepal Coombs (WFWP), Mrs Margaret Ali (UPF) rebuild their homes, and their lives. In and Mr Bernard Chellew who had all come addition to the fundraising, we held a from other parts of the country to help Bridge of Peace ceremony under the with the programme. banner of ‘Peace through Friendship’, David Earle introducing Ms Lorraine Olley. followed by food and a wonderful cultural David gave a brief summary of UPF and programme. Mainly through the entrance WFWP’s work in Nepal during the last 15 fee, and with some additional donations, years or so, helping to reign in the extreme we made a total of around £1400 before Maoist group ‘Shining Path’ and bring expenses. The proceeds will be sent to them into the political process offering Nepal and used by the branch of the character education and peace education Women’s Federation there to support programmes on all levels, including their existing aid projects. national TV, and supplementing all of the above with many social and humanitarian The fundraiser was sponsored by both activities to help the Nepalese people. He the Women’s Federation and the then introduced Lorraine Olley who spoke Universal Peace Federation. Adults and Mrs Tina Coombs explains the Bridge of about the value of friendship and children from the local FFFWPU Peace. community, and the need to consistently community worked really hard to staff David Earle began proceedings by strive for greater harmony and the event, and were joined by around welcoming everyone and recognising understanding between the many, diverse 150 guests. A lot of these were existing several VIP guests, amongst them Ms cultures, races, religions and ethnic groups contacts, but over a quarter were new Lorraine Olley who was representing in our society. Lorraine was followed by guests, taking part in one of our events Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Ramesh Mrs Tina Coombs who has held positions for the first time. The venue, the Srivastava former Lord Mayor of Rugby nationally and internationally for WFWP. meeting hall of Selly Oak Methodist and currently Chair of the British She spoke about the importance and Church, was quite full but with a good Organisation for People of Asian origin meaning of the Bridge of Peace, a flagship kitchen, stage, foyer and children’s (BOPA), Davinder Prasda - Sec Gen’l of project ofWFWP, and then encouraged room we had the flexibility for a BOPA, and Mrs Chanchal Jain - President everyone to come up on stage and make a pleasant occasion. of the Indian Ladies Club. Apologies were new friend.

Bernard began the musical programme by singing ‘Forever Young’, followed by a variety of songs from our western, Caribbean and Asian cultures. One highlight was Frances Redihough who captured everyone’s heart with her song for peace, and concluding words … “We are One Family under God”. Bernard expertly kept the programme flowing, culminating in the well-known Reggae Sharing personal details. number ‘One World One Heart, Audience enjoying the singing. performed by Basil, Catherine and Candice Gabbidon which inspired quite a few of us to get up and dance.

Saying the Friendship Pledge.

The Gabbidon family. ’ Bernard and Viola Dirnhofer.

Chatting together. Many new friendships were formed, and the room began to buzz as personal details were exchanged, people chatted The Indian Ladies Club. to each other and then we stood to say Peace through Friendship’. our Friendship Pledge together. All in all, a great occasion with food, (Photos of all the new friends made are friendship and a family atmosphere, at the end of this article.) and around £1000 to send as our After a while we invited people up, collective contribution to help the table by table, to enjoy some delicious people of Nepal.. food, much of it provided by arguably the best Indian caterer in the West Midlands, Shankars Sweet Centre. Mr Shankar and his family business have consistently supported our events for many years. As everyone started to eat, Frances Redihough.