A Baldock restuarant has formed a charity partnership with Stevenage-baseed POhWER, and celebrated the union with a launch event on Monday.

The Chilli Lounge welcomed a full house of guests to celebrate the launch of the first charity partnership for POhWER, and get the ball rolling with the fundraising.

POhWER is an advocacy charity which supports people living with a disability and mental health and/or other living changing issues.

The charity’s chief executive, Mark Lister, said at the event: “We now support more than 40,000 people a year and for around £200 we can really get involved with somebody.

“Right now it’s so important that we get going with fundraising. We will have two million more people experiencing mental health issues in the next 20 years.

“There will be one third more people living with dementia in the next 10 years. That’s eight per cent of our community baring the brunt of 29 per cent of the cuts to public services.

“That’s why we need to reach out to more people in Baldock and the surrounding areas.”

The partnership with The Chilli Lounge will mean that a contribution from each takeaway you buy will go to the charity, and the restaurant will host various events throughout the year – Monday’s launch being the first one.

Among those in attendance were Baldock ward district councillors Jim McNally and Michael Weeks, who participated in the ribbion cutting and did the raffle draw.

Tina Fletcher from POhWER added: “Not only is this our 21st anniversary year, but this is also the very first charity partner we have had, so I want to say a huge thank you to Abbas Ahmed and all the staff at the Chilli Lounge.

“I can honestly say we are very much looking forward to working with them, and supporting the community of Baldock.”

Prizes from the raffle, which saw all proceeds go to the charity, included a one-to-one cooking lesson with Abbas and a meal for two at the Chilli Lounge, as well as a giant teddy bear, chocolates, cakes and more.

Since 2011, the popular Indian restaurant in Whitehorse Street has supported organisations such as Garden House Hospice Care and the Herts Air Ambulance.

There will be a cheque presentation at a later date when proceeds from the evening are counted up.

For more information about POhWER, go to pohwer.net.