Chinese New Year celebrations boost Norwich Lord Mayor’s civic charity

Lord Mayor of Norwich Judith Lubbock and The Sheriff William Armstrong present oranges and money to Riverbank restaurant owner Toni Patching and manager Sean Phan at the restaurant's Chinese New Year charity evening.Picture by SIMON FINLAY. (Image: Archant Norfolk.)

Riverbank Chinese restaurant has held the annual fundraising feast for the past 11 years, celebrating the most important festival in the Chinese calendar and bringing the community together.

More than 100 people attended last night's event, with an auction held to support this year's civic charity Cruse Bereavement Care.

Donated items ranged from afternoon tea with the Lord Mayor to a football signed by Norwich City players, and it was hoped that more than £3,000 would be raised.

Lord Mayor of Norwich Judith Lubbock hailed restaurant owners Piang Fui Pun and Toni Patching for their generosity, which has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charities over the years,

'It's helping to raise the profile of the Chinese community in Norwich, and celebrates some Chinese customs,' she added.

Sean Phan, restaurant manager, explained that the restaurant was 'always thinking of take and give' and that they were grateful for people supporting them throughout the year.

'We want to give something back to the community, so we always do this charity event,' he said. 'That's why we do it every year. It's part and parcel of our Chinese New Year celebrations. We need to do something good to bring in prosperity.'

The Chinese year now commencing is 4713, the year of the sheep.

Many charity events take place as part of the celebrations to see in the new year.

Cruse Bereavement Care, Norwich's civic charity this year, works to support people after the death of someone close. Trained volunteers across the country offer both face-to-face and group support.

For details about Cruse, see http://www.cruse.org.uk/