PICTURES and VIDEO: Tettenhall turns into Bollywood for fundraiser

Dozens of guests of The Big 6 Kilimanjaro 2016 challenge flocked to The Mount Hotel, in Tettenhall, to lap up a night of glamour, entertainment and tasty food.

Guests, including former footballers Steve Bull and Don Goodman, arrived in colourful Indian-styled dresses and attire, alongside dresses and suits, for the occasion.

The challenge will see five friends from around the Black Country trek six vertical kilometres across seven days as they scale Africa's highest mountain to raise money for the three charities: Promised Dreams, The Way Youth Zone and Birmingham Children's Hospital.

There were jubilant spirits all round as revellers feasted their eyes on the Indian-themed occasion at The Mount, which sported a tuk tuk, bhangra dancing and sitar players, alongside an array of scrumptious food.

A red carpet with red railings welcomed guests into the historic hotel where rooms had been kitted out with tables, chairs and entertainment ready for the occasion.

Event organiser and member of the Kiliminjaro challenge, Suresh Bawa, said at the fundraiser: "Around 110 people have come to the event, who are all supporters of the charity. Tonight we hope to raise a bit of money for the cause alongside having a good time together."

Mr Bawa, aged 50, from Wolverhampton, will be raising funds for Promised Dreams, the charity he co-founded 15 years ago.

He will also be taking part alongside his son, Arran Bawa, 19, and friends Scott and Brett Bernard and Neil Taylor.

Scott and Brett will be raising money for The Way Youth Zone, based in Wolverhampton, and Neil Taylor will be raising funds for BCH.

Mr Bawa said he has been overwhelmed by the support over the years his charity has received.

"Around 80 per cent of our funding has come from a 12 mile radius," he said. "That just shows the kindness of the people from the Black Country."

After the event, he added: "We managed to raise just over £5,000 from the night, through tickets, which cost £35, a raffle and an auction. That is an absolutely amazing amount of money, we are really pleased."

Speaking at the event, Steve Bull said: "It is a full house tonight with every one that came and fair play to them, the money will going to terminally ill children."

Beverley Bird, charity manager at Promised Dreams, said the charity has events going on throughout the year.

"We have a walk from Himley to Wolverhampton coming up, and we are on the look out for road marshalls to help with the event," said Beverley.

"To get in touch, please contact us on www.promisedreams.co.uk."

For more information about the challenge, visit www.thebig6kilimanjaro.com.