IT WAS a night to remember when supporters of a 2012 charity dug deep in their pockets and raised thousands of pounds. Living The Dream, the borough wide charity that raises money for Barking and Dagenham Olympic hopefuls, put on their posh frocks and cel

IT WAS a night to remember when supporters of a 2012 charity dug deep in their pockets and raised thousands of pounds.

Living The Dream, the borough wide charity that raises money for Barking and Dagenham Olympic hopefuls, put on their posh frocks and celebrated with a spectacular Indian Evening at the Dagenham and Redbridge Football pavilion.

Chairman and man behind the fund raising event, Jeremy West said: "It was a terrific night; everyone is still talking about it."

The theme was set by a Dagenham restaurateur who runs the Tarka Indian Cuisine restaurant in Dagenham Road, and offered to provide the food for the event.

Manager and chef 'Faruk' said: "I was looking to help a charity event for some time, and I heard about Living the Dream.

"This was just perfect. It was a fantastic evening, and I am so proud to have been involved."

Faruk's food was the hightlight of the evening but catering for more than 170 guests was quite challenge.

He said: "I have not prepared for so many before, but we do cater for up to 120 in the restaurant.

"But the facilities at the football club were excellent and I am glad it went so well."

Apart from the food, Honey's Dance Academy delighted the audience with a superb example of specialist Indian dancing with one 10-year-old lad from the company, giving a breathtaking display that had the appreciative audience on their feet.

Fellow inspiration behind 'Dream', Steve Thompson, managing director of 'Daggers' said : "It was a fantastic evening, fantastic food, fantastic entertainment and fantastic company.

"We are all particularly pleased with the result, not only because it raised a lot of money for the charity, but equally raised the profile among the business community who are now coming forward with offers to raise money."

Magician to the stars, Peter Mehtab, who counts Richard Branson and Tom Cruise among his regular audience, gave a stunning performance of his skills with even the Mayor, Cllr. Emmanuel Obasohan got involved.

Mr West said: "It was so successful we will certainly be doing it again.

"We had some fantastic raffle prizes including a trip to Big Ben and lunch in the Houses of Parliament from our MP, Jon Cruddas.

"That and proceeds from the evening brought in �6,000 to help our young athletes."

Living the Dream is a Trust set up by local businesses and dedicated to raising money for Barking and Dagenham's potential athletes with training and equipment costs. If anyone would like to help, Steve Thompson can be contacted on 020 8592 7194 or visit the website-livingthedreambandd.org.uk.