Yorkshire Asian Business Association Gala Dinner – Aspire to Inspire!

Last night, Penny Appeal had the honour of attending the Yorkshire Asian Business Association (YABA) Gala Dinneas the official charity partner. Held at the beautifully refurbished Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford, the event was a celebration of inspiration and unity with a primary focus of inspiring the 450+ attendees with exceptional stories and celebrating notable achievements of Asian businesses, charities and more within the Yorkshire region and beyond. 

The theme of this year’s event was ‘inspiration’, and it definitely set the tone for an uplifting and motivational evening. Instead of focusing solely on business, the visionary organiser, Sharon Kaur Jandu OBE, aimed to spark inspiration in the hearts of everyone present. And indeed, the night was nothing short of inspiring. 

Throughout the evening, attendees had the opportunity to hear from remarkable individuals, a particular highlight was a speech from Zara Mohammed, the Secretary General of the British Muslim Council. Zara's story is nothing short of incredible. She is the first woman ever to be appointed this role, as well as the youngest and the first Scottish individual to do so – breaking barriers all round! Her accomplishments and attitude definitely fit the brief; she is a true inspiration.  

We also saw Kulvinder Ghir speak after winninthe ‘people award’, his legacy has left exceptional mark on the acting industry and his story proves that you really can do anything, even when the odds are stacked against you. It was great to hear him speak of his family, even dedicating the award to his late father. His achievements are a testament to hard work, talent, and dedication, inspiring us all regardless of our line of work. 

Beyond the awards and recognition, the evening was a lively celebration, filled with networking opportunities, food, and entertainment. It was a wonderful platform for diverse individuals to come together, celebrate each other's accomplishments, and we even raised some funds for our life saving emergency appeal. We were so proud to have been a part of this event as it aligns with our mission to make a positive impact on the world. The focus of our fundraising efforts that night was to aid the victims of the Morocco earthquake and Libya emergency floods, raising much-needed funds for those affected by these natural disasters. 

As the official charity partner of the YABA Gala Dinner, Penny Appeal looks forward to future partnerships with this incredible organisation. It was a night that brought people together, not only to celebrate achievements but also to make a difference in the lives of those in need. We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such a diverse and inspiring group of individuals, spreading the word about Penny Appeal and our commitment to creating a better world for all. 

We extend our gratitude to YABA for the wonderful opportunity, and we look forward to making a meaningful impact in future collaborations.