Dr Asaah Nkohkwo (Director) receives cheque for £5,000 from Lucilda Stewart and Shani Cadette of ASL Fundraising and Levi Roots, Celebrity Chef and Entrepreneur (Photo by Danny Dacosta)

Saturday, 20th October 2007 will be a memorable day in the minds of many. For rugby fans, it will be remembered as the day England and South Africa played the world cup final in France. For those who were not lucky enough to have travelled to Paris (or should that be unlucky, since England did end up losing!) the place to have been was the ‘Classic of Caribbean Charity Ball’ at the luxurious Porchester Hall in Queensway, London. This Black Tie event was hosted by ASL Fundraising Association, an organisation dedicated to raising awareness and funding for charitable causes related to African– Caribbean and Bi-racial communities. ASL Fundraising Association was set up in 2006 by Alexander Stewart Locations (ASL), a property company based in London. Lucilda Stewart, Joan Duke and Shani Cadette were keen to invest in the community by promoting events which inform, empower and ultimately inspire. In this their first of many charity balls the fundraising was in aid of the Sickle Cell Society.

It is commendable that ASL has recognized the struggle for funding that many charities face and has decided to act. They have begun a movement and created a footprint to stir the community into action, to increase awareness of the issues facing Black communities and raising funds to support the organizations that are making a difference. On 4 March 2008 Lucilda Stewart and Shani Cadette presented the Sickle Cell Society with a cheque for £5000 on behalf of ASL Fundraising Association. Levi Roots, the musician, chef and Reggae, Reggae Sauce entrepreneur of Dragons’ Den fame was also part of the cheque presentation. The Society is very grateful to ASL Fundraising Association. We hope that many other companies will follow their lead.