A RESTAURANT owner is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for Prospect Hospice during the next month.

James Huynh, who runs Oriental Aroma in Royal Wootton Bassett, aims to raise more than £5,000 for the Wroughton-based charity throughout February.

He will be organising school visits to the restaurant and attending the mayor’s charity dinner in a bid to raise funds.

James said: “We like to run these events once in a while to support the local community. Prospect is well known and respected.”

Prospect Hospice provides dedicated end of life care and has brought confidence, comfort and care to patients and their families for more than 30 years.

Oriental Aroma will be welcoming school pupils through its doors from February 4 to 8.

Tickets are now on sale for the mayor’s dinner on February 24 at 7pm, which will include a two-course meal, raffles and jazz music by Frank Abrams. All £15 from each ticket bought will be donated to Prospect Hospice.

James has been raising funds for Prospect Hospice since 2007, but it was only when his cousin was a resident there last year that he realised at close hand the support the hospice provides.

His cousin, Phar Ly, of Walcot, died of liver cancer in the care of the hospice.

James said: “He had been in there for a few days when I held a charity event on July 5. While the event was going on I had a phone call saying the doctors had given him an hour to live. We had to leave everything and go.

“I had been invited in the past as a business that raises funds for them, but over the years I hadn’t had time to actually visit.

“It wasn’t until I went there that I realised what it was all about. A lot of the people who work there are volunteers and I didn’t realise how brilliant the service was.”

For tickets to the mayor’s charity dinner, visit the town council offices or call 01793 850222.

To contact James about fundraising, call 01793 854545 or visit www.orientalaroma.co.uk