Curry restaurants and takeaways in Oxford have raised £5,000 to help eradicate blindness in Bangladesh by adding a voluntary £1 donation onto their customers’ bills.
The initiative, carried out in November and December, was part of national campaign, Vision Bangladesh, spearheaded by international development organisation BRAC, which aims to eradicate cataract blindness in Bangladesh by 2020. The restaurants presented a cheque to BRAC chief executive Mary Garvey at a ceremony at Aziz Express Restaurant in East Oxford on January 31.
Mary said: “We would like to thank all the restaurants in Oxford who have supported this campaign. The funds raised will restore sight to hundreds of people in Sylhet and make an enormous difference to their lives.”
Mr. Azizur Rahman raised £800 through his restaurants Aziz Express and Aziz restaurant on Cowley Road. “I was reasonably happy with the amount raised but I think we could have done a lot better,” he said.
“There were some restaurants that took it on board but some restaurants were reluctant to put a pound onto their customers’ bills even though the customers can opt out of if they want to. Some restaurants were not comfortable doing this and instead donated lump sums of £100, £200, £500.
“Not one of our customers opted out or objected. Some people even added another pound or two as well. They thought it was a good idea and gave them the opportunity to contribute to a wonderful cause. For a table of four, it works out as 25p a head or for a table of two, it’s only 50p a head. I don’t think anyone will argue with that as long as they know it’s going to a good cause and making a difference to people’s lives.”
With £20, the charity can pay for a cataract operation that can change and restore the sight of a blind person, helping them to climb out of poverty. The charity uses 95 per cent of all funds raised to deliver the Vision Bangladesh programme directly to people in the Sylhet Division in Bangladesh.
The initiative is an opportunity for restaurateurs to give something back, Mr Rahman said. “Eighty per cent of curry restaurant owners in this country are from Bangladesh, so it’s good for them to be able to do something that will make a difference to people back in Bangladesh.”
The campaign will be an annual fixture until 2020, and Mr Rahman hopes that even more Oxford restaurants and takeaways will take part next year. “It is the first year and I think people are still a bit reluctant to get involved but we plan for more restaurants to take part next year and to make a huge difference,” he said.
To donate to the campaign, visit www.brac.net/visionbangladesh or text BRAC20 and the amount you wish to donate (up to £10) to 70070.
