BUDS-UK's annual gala dinner at the Grand Banqueting Hall in London raised £35,000 for our programmes in Batticaloa — comfortably exceeding the £25,000 target set at the start of the evening and making it the most successful gala in the charity's history to date.
Over 220 supporters joined us for an evening of cultural performances, a three-course dinner, and a live auction featuring items donated by members of the BUDS-UK community and partner businesses. Highlights of the auction included a signed cricket bat, a one-week stay at a Sri Lankan beach villa, and a portrait commission, all of which were generously donated.
Dr Alan Kangatharan, President of BUDS-UK, opened the evening with an update on the past year's work — the completion of the 2024/25 housing cohort, the launch of the BUDS-JMFOA drug-prevention programme in the Eastern Province, and the continued expansion of the foster-care initiative. He thanked the volunteer organising committee, led by Thayaparan Sivagnanam, whose work over the preceding six months made the evening possible.
Funds raised will be allocated according to the donor designations gathered on the night, with the largest single-line items supporting the Hindu College Hostel expansion and the next phase of the low-cost housing project.
"Every pound raised tonight will be sent to Batticaloa," confirmed the Treasurer in his closing remarks. "BUDS-UK operates with zero paid staff in the UK — our overheads are minimal, and donor money goes directly to programmes."
Planning has now begun for the 2026 Summer Fundraising Gala, scheduled for 12 July.