A RESTAURANT in the centre of St Austell is responding to the devastating flooding that has hit Nepal.

The Nepalese Gurkha Restaurant in Fore Street is inviting the local community to come together for special fundraising evenings in aid of families whose lives have been turned upside-down by the floods.

The restaurant initially planned one charity buffet evening in response to the natural disaster which has claimed thousands of lives but this has been oversubscribed so a second event will also be staged.

Restaurant manager Raj Sedhai is organising the buffets which will be held on Tuesday, September 22, and Wednesday, September 23.

Among the guests due to attend will be Noah Law (Labour), the MP for the St Austell and Newquay constituency, and the mayor of St Austell, Cllr Ethan Stephens.

Restaurant manager Raj Sedhai wants to help people affected by the flooding in Nepal.
Restaurant manager Raj Sedhai wants to help people affected by the flooding in Nepal. (Picture: Submitted)

Raj said that every penny raised from the evenings will go directly to the Nepal Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund, helping communities rebuild after the flooding which has left such widespread heartbreak.

Raj said: “Nepal was our home. We all still have family who live there. This is our chance to give something back, and we know the people of St Austell and Cornwall will stand with us by coming along, enjoying a meal and helping those who need it most."

He said the evenings would be about more than great food – they are about bringing the community together to show compassion and support for the people of Nepal during an incredibly difficult time.

Booking for the fundraising evenings is essential, with the authentic Nepalese buffet costing £15 per person.

A glacier collapse near the border between Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday, August 26, caused the flooding which swept away people and property in its path. More than 1,300 people have been confirmed dead while over 5,000 others are missing.