A Penyrheol convenience store has helped raise more than £11,000 for good causes in recent months.
Owners Premji Bhoja and Dhanji Halai and staff at Londis, in Troed Y Bryn, in Penyrheol, helped raise £6,448 for Tom’s Dream – a charity with the aim of raising £45,000 for ten-year-old Caerphilly boy Tom Sargent to go to America and have a life-changing operation. Tom was born with cerebral palsy and hasn’t been able to walk since birth.
Tom has since gone to America for the operation and is currently making great progress to walk.
The store’s co-owner Premj Bhoja said: “We decided to help Tom achieve his dream to walk. We started fundraising from the shop and got the staff involved.
“Customers sponsored my brother-in-law and business partner Dhanji for climbing 10,000 steps on Mount Girnar in Gujarat, India. We also arranged a special fundraising concert which included local singers, dancers, Bollywood dancers, comedians and a dog show.”
Among the acts for the concert was Premji himself and several customers – who all took to the stage for a spot of dancing
But their fundraising efforts have not stopped there.
Dhanji’s daughter Anpna was recently awarded the title Miss Wales Beauty with a Purpose 2013 for being the highest charity fundraiser in the competition after she raised £4,600 for the Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre.
Her father and uncle helped her by organising a Culture Fusion concert with traditional Indian dance, Latin American dancers, and Bollywood dancers.
Taking part in that concert was 11-year-old Chloe Goddard from Abertridwr, whose mother Samantha works at the store.
Premji was also involved in another concert that raised money for the Noah’s Ark appeal. He added: “We did Indian versions of the Gangnam style and Harlem Shake dances and got everyone involved. The event raised £7,500 for the children’s hospital.
“My customers support me because I support the community, it’s all part of being a local store.”