An Indian restaurant in Bristol has raised £10,000 for children’s charity Children’s Hospice South West. Mowgli, which opened its doors on Corn Street last year, specialises in Indian Street food and the restaurant chain itself was founded a decade ago by the daughter of Indian immigrant doctors, Nisha Katona.
Nisha gave up her 20-year career as a child protection barrister to bring to life her vision to build an eatery serving the kind of food Indians eat in their home and on their streets. The first Mowgli opened on Bold Street in Liverpool in 2014 and there are now 25 restaurants across the UK, the most recent opening in Stratford.
Each of the restaurants across the country has a dedicated ‘house charity’, and Mowgli Bristol partnered with Children’s Hospice South West when the doors to its Corn Street site opened 12 months ago. Customers dining at each Mowgli restaurant are invited to add a discretionary £1 to their bill which goes towards The Mowgli Trust.
Money raised goes to the restaurant’s house charity as well as to supporting the Trust’s international causes. These include a project run by Chester Zoo in Assam, India, to support local people to live alongside the elephant population.
Since its inception, The Mowgli Trust has raised more than £2 million for charitable causes through its restaurants. Mowgli Charities Manager Abbey Hides said: “The Mowgli Trust relies on the kindness and generosity of our guests, who donate each year to help us support children, families and communities all over the world.
“Our trust supports children’s hospice, cancer charities and hospitals across the UK. Children’s Hospice South West does phenomenal work in supporting local families and is very much part of the Mowgli family.”
On the huge amount raised by the Bristol restaurant, Children’s Hospice South West’s corporate fundraiser, Amanda Gallagher, went on to say: “We are delighted to be supported by Mowgli Bristol and to have raised over £10,000 in their first year is just incredible.
“This donation, and their continued support will help us continue to make the most of short and precious lives across the city.”