• 18 May 2018

Fundraising event brings a taste of India to Portadown

The Leprosy Mission Northern Ireland’s Taste of India event on Friday 11 May brought churches in Portadown together to bring hope and healing to leprosy–affected people in India.

One hundred and forty people attended the event at Seagoe Parish Church and together they raised an amazing £3,300 which will go towards transforming the lives of many marginalised families in India and around the world.

The event, in its second year, opens people’s eyes to the reality of leprosy and to the possibility of ending the transmission of the disease in our lifetime.

Guests enjoyed experiencing the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of India, including a three–course Indian meal, Indian dancing and a presentation by Joanne Briggs, TLM Northern Ireland’s National Director.

During her presentation, Joanne explained that 60 per cent of the world’s leprosy cases are found in India and that during the course of the evening another 20–30 people would have been diagnosed with leprosy somewhere in the world.

Many of the attendees said that they were surprised to learn that leprosy still existed and were shocked to hear of the suffering experienced by people as a result of the disease, including severe disabilities and social exclusion.

Joanne explained how The Leprosy Mission is working all over the world to cure, care for and restore people affected by leprosy. And how this is only possible thanks to the generosity of people in Northern Ireland.

The Rector of Seagoe, Canon Terence Cadden said: “Thank you to all involved. A great night! Thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Other churches involved in the event included St Saviour’s, Craigavon, Hillsborough Parish, Mullavilly Parish, St. Columba’s Portadown and a Roman Catholic group.

TLM supporters are being encouraged to hold their own Taste of India event in their communities to raise awareness of leprosy and to raise funds that could bring life–changing holistic treatment to many more leprosy–affected people in India.

Pictured above left–right: Premila Sathyaraj, Peter Hilton (TLM Church and School Engagement Officer), Phyllis Richardson (Seagoe Parish) and Judith Carson (TLM Volunteer).