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2004 November 16 - Diawali and Eid Extravaganza Organised in Aid of Children's Charity

NEWS RELEASE

16 November 2004

Diwali and Eid Extravaganza Organised in Aid of Children’s Charity

Harborne mother Rooksana Bibi, 35, is organising a dinner and dance in Perry Barr on Sunday 28 November to celebrate both Diwali and Eid.  Money raised will be donated to Birmingham-based charity the Children's Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF), which has helped her family since their daughter, was diagnosed with a rare liver condition.

CLDF is a unique national charity that fights childhood liver diseases through funding pioneering research and educating healthcare professionals and the general public.  It provides professional, emotional support to families affected and is the only organisation of its kind in the UK.

In September, Rooksana’s daughter Sobia, 14, was diagnosed with autoimmune liver disease, which causes the body's defence mechanism to malfunction and start attacking the liver.

Mrs Bibi said:  “When Sobia was diagnosed I was devastated as it came straight out of the blue.  I decided to hold this event in the hope that the money will go some way towards helping other families in a similar situation to myself, either through funding research or offering support.  At the moment it is early days and new to all of us, but it is a great comfort to know that the Foundation is there and that I only need to pick up the phone and there is somebody to talk to.  I have booked a venue for 700 people and hope that the evening will be a success.”

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of CLDF, said: “It is brilliant that people like Mrs Bibi are willing to put on events like these in aid of CLDF.  The Foundation believes that effective research is the key to providing a future for children and young people with liver disease like Sobia and with over 100 different liver diseases out there and two children being diagnosed every day, there is still a long way to go. We appreciate greatly the fundraising efforts of supporters such as Mrs Bibi and hope that the evening goes well.”

The Diwali and Eid Extravaganza will include entertainment by DJs such as Mac G, Fusion and many more.  The event is being held at Royale Suite, Birchfield Road, Perry Barr on Sunday 28 November.  Tickets are priced at £15 each for more information call 0121 256 2561 or 07985 523 496/07949 233 337.

For more information about the work of CLDF or childhood liver disease call 0121 212 3839, e-mail info@childliverdisease.org or visit www.childliverdisease.org

ENDS

For more information about this story please contact Rebecca O’Connor on 0121 212 6012 or e-mail rebeccaOC@childliverdisease.org