Member Article

Restaurant teams up with Toon for cancer charity

AN award-winning Indian restaurant has teamed up with Newcastle United Foundation to help one of the Toon Army’s most loyal supporters.

Raval Luxury Indian Restaurant will host a fundraising event later this month to support Magpies fan ‘Geordie Jim Thompson’ in his battle to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

The businessman was diagnosed with the disease five years ago when he was just 57, and it has since spread to his lymphatic system.

Jim says his condition is now inoperable, and has vowed to use what time he has left to raise awareness of prostate cancer – the most common cancer in men.

Now Raval restaurant boss Avi Malik and the Newcastle United Foundation are backing Jim in his bid to raise funds for Movember UK, the men’s health charity.

A special event will take place at Raval on Sunday, March 29, when the restaurant will serve its unique Newcastle Brown Ale Curry, made with Northumbrian lamb.

Proceeds from the three-course meal, which will also include a champagne reception, will be donated to Movember UK.

And, in addition to sending representatives to the event, Newcastle United Foundation has donated an auction prize of a much sought-after ‘ball boy’ place for the club’s home fixture against Swansea on April 25.

Mr Malik said: “I’ve known Jim for years as he is a regular Raval customer, so I was shocked and saddened when I learned of his situation.

“I immediately offered to help by arranging this fundraising night. We are not normally open on a Sunday, so the entire evening will be devoted to raising funds for – and awareness of – prostate cancer.”

Seghill-born Jim, 62, had no symptoms when he was diagnosed with the disease.

The father-of-five said: “I felt absolutely fine. I only went to the doctors for a routine check up because I was going on holiday for a month.

“The doctor asked if I wanted the full treatment with the gloved hand and I thought ‘why not?’ That’s when he told me my prostate felt ‘a bit rough’ and I was sent for a blood test, known as a PSA test.”

Had Jim’s PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test been carried out earlier, he believes his cancer could have been treated.

“In my opinion all men over 40 should be asking their GP for a PSA test. It’s only an indicator but it can help with early diagnosis, and that’s really important.”

But brave Jim, who now lives in North Yorkshire, added: “The way I see it, I can either wallow in self pity or just get on and do something about it. And I’m not one to wallow.”

And it is ‘getting on with it’ that has led Jim and his friends – known collectively as Geordie Jim’s Boys – to raise almost £30,000 for worthy causes, including Movember UK.

He added: “Despite what people think, this is not an old man’s disease. Yes, the majority of prostate cancer sufferers are over 70, but it can hit you when you’re relatively young too. And the scariest thing is that there are often no symptoms. That’s why they call it the silent killer.

“If, by raising awareness, I can save just one life it will have been worthwhile.”

Representatives of Movember UK will also be in attendance on March 29 – the first time the charity has publicly backed a fundraising event outside its normal campaign period of November.

Spokesman Toby Phillips said: “Jim is incredible – an absolute inspiration. We’re very grateful to him for all the fundraising he and his friends have done and that is why members of our Community Engagement Team will be making the journey from London to be part of the awareness raising event at Raval.”

The organisation is hoping that, in particular, managers in male-heavy companies sign up for the event and pass on what they have learned to their workforce. However, it is open to everyone.

Mr Malik added: “We’ll be serving a three-course meal featuring our unique Newcastle Brown Ale Curry, something we only reserve for special occasions, so I can guarantee guests a night to remember.”

· Tickets for the event are £35 and can be booked by visiting www.ravaluk.com or by calling 0191 477 1700.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ken Oxley .