London:
Leading restaurants and chefs in the UK are collaborating to launch a new initiative which will see a number of popular eateries here match every 1 pound donated by their customers to support Kolkata's Tata Medical Centre.
The 'Let's come together to make a difference' initiative was launched by London Mayor Boris Johnson last evening at St James' Court, A Taj Hotel.
The initiative will see a number of popular restaurants in London match every 1 pound donated by their customers. Diners will be encouraged to support the initiative by agreeing to add a pound to their restaurant bill.
Mr Johnson said: "I am delighted to support their generosity and humanitarian work and urge London's restaurant-goers to 'come together to make a difference' for this most worthy of causes."
"Tata is one of the largest foreign investors in UK industry, employing more than 60,000 people nationwide and acting as a catalyst for economic prosperity not only here in London but across the country," he said.
The campaign has been developed by Iqbal Wahhab OBE, the owner of Roast -- a popular chain of restaurants in London.
Many other leading restaurants have agreed to support the initiative including: Cafe Spice Namaste, Benaras, Cinnamon Club, Quilon at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate, as well as Oh! Calcutta, which is being opened here by Indian entrepreneur and restaurateur Anjan Chatterjee.
All money donated will go to the not-for-profit Tata Medical Centre, which was established at the initiative of Ratan Tata and supported by the Tata group and many other generous donors.
The medical centre specialises in the prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of cancer patients in West Bengal, as well as adjoining states and neighbouring countries.
It has treated more than 50,000 patients and performed over 11,000 operations since 2011, with 50 per cent of the 167 beds provided for free or subsidised for those in need.
The donations received from this initiative will be used to help expand the hospital and support the centre's aim to become one of India's leading cancer research institutes.