Restaurant brand raises £169,394 for cancer charity through £1 bill donations

One of the nation’s leading Thai restaurant brands has reached an impressive fundraising charity target for a charity close to its heart.

Thai Leisure Group, alongside its customers, have raised an incredible £169,394 through menu donations and other fundraisers, with the proceeds going to Yorkshire cancer charity, Candlelighters.

The fundraising figure is the charity’s largest amount raised by one single provider and marks the start of an ongoing partnership for the two businesses.

Thai Leisure Group - which owns Thai cuisine restaurants including Chaophraya and Thaikhun – has raised the milestone amount by giving customers across its 13 restaurants in England the opportunity to pay an additional £1 on top of their bill.

Candlelighters supports children and their families from the devastating consequences of cancer, with donations contributing research projects, round the clock support and temporary accommodation for families.

Chris Salt, partnerships manager at Candlelighters, said: “The incredible amount raised by Thai Leisure Group and its patrons will make an immense difference to families and children affected by childhood cancer.

“We help families throughout their treatment, when staying in or visiting hospital, as well as out in communities throughout the region. The funds raised by Chaophraya and Thaikhun will help to ensure none of these families face a child’s cancer diagnosis alone, and will be instrumental in helping to fund crucial research which will help thousands of children across the UK and further afield.”

Ian Leigh, managing director at Thai Leisure Group, said: “We’re so grateful to everyone who has supported us with donations over the past year. Candlelighters is a charity that is close to our hearts and the incredible amount raised will make a huge difference to families and children affected by childhood cancer. After seeing first hand the full extent of support that Candlelighters offers cancer patients and their families, we wanted to create a longstanding partnership where we can contribute towards the amazing work the team are doing.”

Alongside their existing charity work, Thai Leisure Group has recently launched a new partnership with Manchester-based charity, Lifeshare, to raise money to support the homeless.

Abigail Noonan at Lifeshare, said: “We are so excited to be partnering with Thai Leisure Group in the Autumn Quarter. This support will have a huge positive impact on our service and help us to better provide for Manchester's vulnerable populations."

Ian adds: “At Thai Leisure Group, we are proud to support charities worldwide and dedicate each quarter to a different charity that the team feel passionate about. We’re excited to launch our next partnership with Lifeshare and do our bit to support those who are struggling financially and living on the streets.

“It’s been a tough couple of years for many people, and it’s important that, as a business, we do what we can to support our local community as much as we can.”

You can donate to Thai Leisure Group’s chosen charities through an optional menu donation at any of their Chaophraya, Thaikhun, Yee Rah or Chaobaby restaurants. For more information, visit www.thaileisuregroup.co.uk