AN award-winning Braintree takeaway celebrated by donating to a children’s disability charity.

Balti Night Indian takeaway chose to celebrate its ‘Recommended by Restaurant Guru 2024’ award by organising a fundraiser last month, to donate to a charity of its customers’ choice.

The small Braintree business, which has stood in Manor Street since 1987, chose to give customers free starters for orders of more than £25 from every Monday to Thursday in August, and donate the cost of the starters to a charity after a poll.

Charity - Balti Night customers decided the business should donate to POP Essex charity in Braintree. Charity - Balti Night customers decided the business should donate to POP Essex charity in Braintree. (Image: Balti Night 1987) Jakir Hussain, 32, runs Balti Night with his three brothers.

He said: “We had a great reaction; everyone was so enthusiastic.

“Because we won our awards this year, we really wanted to do something positive and give back to the community that supported us throughout this year.

“It was really overwhelming how many people tried to help us find a local charity, so that was brilliant.”

Customers decided donations should go to POP Essex, a Braintree charity for SEND families and children with disabilities.

Jakir said: “We were really pleased to be able to do this and donate £237.65 to this great charity.

“We invited them over to the shop and met the incredible people behind the scenes at POP Essex, it was a great experience.

“The people we met were lovely and it was amazing.”

Community - Balti Night has been a staple in Braintree since 1987. Community - Balti Night has been a staple in Braintree since 1987. (Image: Balti Night 1987)

Matt Carr, Chair of trustees at POP Essex, said: “It’s really nice to feel the work we’re doing is appreciated.

“We want to build strong relationships with businesses and community groups, and so it’s nice that people are recognising what we do.”

POP Essex is made of volunteers and families who all have personal experience with SEND children and autism which have formed their own little community.

Jakir continued: “It was an amazing opportunity to give back to the community who have supported us over the years.

“Even a small act of kindness like this just means a lot.

“We’re a small business, and to be able to make a small difference is amazing.”

For more information, visit www.baltinight.co.uk or see their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.