BUSINESSES will join forces next month to raise money for voluntary kidney donation.

Swindon firms The Sales and Marketing Hub, Kam's Motor Clinic and MLL Print and Digital, are co-organising the East Meets West fundraiser for the charity Give a Kidney at the Supermarine Sports and Social Club on March 15.

It aims to raise funding and awareness for national charity Give a Kidney, which works to promote non-directed kidney donation, and also to support World Kidney Day which takes place the day before.

The issue is close to the heart Jasie Rai, director of the Sales and Marketing Hub, who has organised the event.

“I have already had one kidney removed and my remaining kidney is now functioning at only 20 per cent," she said.

"It’s likely that I will need a transplant in the next few years."

The event will have Bangra and Bollywood music and a Punjabi buffet.

Jasie added: "I love getting people together and, being of a multicultural background, feel this is a great way to celebrate, fundraise and bring great people together.

"Our previous sell-out events have been extremely popular and have raised more than £8000 for Give a Kidney, with matched funding from Barclays Bank thanks to the help and support from Charanjit Dhaliwal of Barclays in Swindon."

Jan Shorrock, executive officer of Give a Kidney said: “As a small charity we are extremely grateful to Jasie and to everyone who makes these events such a success. There are currently more than 5000 people on the waiting list for a kidney transplant in the UK, and around 250 people die each year in need of a kidney transplant.

"Humans only need one kidney so if more healthy people came forward to give theirs, more lives could be saved."

The East Meets West event will take place from 6.30pm to 11.30pm at the club in South Marston.

A raffle draw will be held on the night and any generous raffle prize donations from local businesses or the public are welcome.

Tickets won't be available on the door so anyone interested in attending can buy tickets in advance by contacting eastmeetswestgak@gmail.com or 07771 556185.