Hindu charity Sewa International raises £10,000 for BBC Children in Need
(27 June 2009)

On Saturday, 27th June 2009, 50 supporters of Hindu volunteering group and charity, Sewa International, participated in a competitive sailing challenge in the Solent, the stretch of sea between Portsmouth & the Isle of Wight, raising £10,000 for the BBC Children in Need appeal. Among the volunteers was Vikas Pota, founder of London-based business communications agency Saffron Chase, who could not swim before the sailing challenge but overcame his fear and took swimming lessons just for this event.

Arup Ganguly, President of Sewa (North London) said: "We are delighted with the support provided to Sewa for raising funds for such a worthy cause as BBC Children in Need. Simple facts such as 1 in 20 children from the poorest households in the UK cannot even afford to celebrate their birthdays or that there are an estimated 200,000 homeless young people in the UK today, all bring home that we have issues that need addressing on our very own doorsteps."

He added: "On an organisational note, we are encouraged that the event attracted participation from big city firms like Deutsche Bank and Barclays who fielded a team each. From the 50 novice sailors, almost 85% were first time supporters of a Sewa event. Given the economic recession, we're thankful to everyone for raising such a terrific amount to support BBC Children in Need."

BBC Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980, it has raised over £500m. The money contributed to Children in Need is distributed to organisations supporting children in the UK aged 18 and under who have mental, physical or sensory disabilities; behavioural or psychological disorders; are living in poverty or situations of deprivation; or suffering through distress, sex abuse or neglect.

BBC Children in Need estimates that tThere are an estimated 200,000 - 300,000 homeless young people in the UK today and that:

• 1 in 4 children experiences some form of physical abuse
• 1 in 20 children from the poorest households in the UK cannot even afford to celebrate their birthdays.
• There are at least 700,000 disabled children in the UK.
• There are approx 51,000 young carers in the UK, young people who care for a relative with a disability, serious illness or mental health problem
• There are about 75,000 kids with a moderate or severe learning disability in England alone!

About Sewa International

In the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, Sewa means Service. In line with this definition, Sewa International is committed to working with local causes and charities by motivating a volunteer network to provide their selfless service and providing their know-how, expertise, money and most importantly - by giving their time.

Sewa International is a charity of Indian origin that came into prominence in the 90s when huge natural disasters affected India. Working in partnership with business leaders, politicians, civic society and local communities, Sewa International has raised substantial funds for various calamities internationally.

We are proud to have the support of people of all backgrounds for our campaigns, appeals and volunteering projects. We are a non-sectarian and non-governmental voluntary organisation regulated & supervised by the Charity Commission for England & Wales.

Sewa International is a service project of HSS (UK) which is a registered charity (no: 267309)

For further information www.sewainternational.com or for volunteering opportunities visit www.sewavolunteers.org