HRH The Prince of Wales, Katy Perry and major celebs support the Big Curry Night In

The British Asian Trust, in partnership with BT and Oriental Club Express today launches the second The Big Curry Night In, a nationwide fundraising campaign bringing the nation together under lockdown to support those most in need across South Asia, as well as rejuvenate the UK’s local takeaway businesses.

The Big Curry Night In, taking place from 5 March – 14 March, will be encouraging the general public to order a curry from their local restaurant or prepare their own curry at home in celebration of the nation’s favourite meal. Households can share their meal virtually with loved ones and friends in other households via video calling and social media. The initiative will help support the British Asian Trust’s UK Aid Match Appeal, where funds up to £2million will be doubled by the UK government, for vital work that enables people in the poorest parts of South Asia, particularly women and girls, to be free from poverty, regain their livelihoods and reach their potential.

For the first time, British Asian Trust Ambassadors will be offering a chance for participants to win a special opportunity to virtually join their Big Curry Night In. International pop star Katy Perry, British actor Sanjeev Bhaskar, presenter Konnie Huq, chart-topping British musician Naughty Boy, England cricketer Jos Buttler and Pakistani music maestro Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will join lucky participants virtually for their Big Curry Night In.

The campaign has been launched by HRH The Prince of Wales, Royal Founding Patron of the British Asian Trust.

International pop star Katy Perry became a British Asian Trust ambassador last year, having visited India in November 2019, where she met with HRH The Prince of Wales to discuss the charity’s vital work and agreed on how she could be involved in future opportunities to help raise further awareness. In supporting the Big Curry Night In, she will be lining up with fellow ambassadors to offer fans a unique opportunity to join her virtually for a special meal as part of a new prize draw, whilst encouraging donations towards the British Asian Trust.

Richard Hawkes, Chief Executive of the British Asian Trust, adds: “We are delighted to bring back  ‘The Big Curry Night In’ after a hugely successful launch campaign last year. The nation’s love for curry and South Asian food has a long, established history and is a vital part of the UK’s restaurant and takeaway industry, which has suffered for a year due to the pandemic. This year, not only are we encouraging members of the public to order or cook their favourite dish at home but we are also offering an incredible opportunity to win the chance to spend their curry night with a big name celebrity. Thanks to the incredible support of our celebrity ambassadors we are able to put together another brilliant campaign, and not to mention a fantastic way to kick start our UK Aid Match Appeal, where all funds raised will be doubled by the UK government.”

Last year’s Big Curry Night In was a huge success with celebrity support from the likes of Piers Morgan, Amy Jackson, Jos Buttler, Nihal Arthanayake, Sair Khan, Sonali Shah and more. The campaign is a unique opportunity for the nation to come together to support the struggling hospitality industry in the wake of the ongoing pandemic, whilst at the same time donating to the work of the British Asian Trust. The public donations will be spent on all of the British Asian Trust’s vital work that enables people in the poorest parts of South Asia, particularly women and girls, to be free from poverty and reach their potential.

The Big Curry Night In is supporting the British Asian Trust’s “If I Can, She Can” appeal. British Asian Trust has been selected as a UK Aid Match project partner. This means that donations made to the “If I Can, She Can” appeal before 31 May 2021 by the UK public will be doubled by the UK government, to support people in the poorest parts of South Asia to rebuild their lives.

Public donations will fund vital programmes that work to reduce poverty and disadvantage for communities across South Asia.

To participate in The Big Curry Night In from 5 – 14 March please visit www.bigcurrynightin.com