Mayor of Waltham Forest’s Charity Dinner

August 22nd, 2007

Last week, I attended the Mayor of Waltham Forest’s charity dinner to raise funds for diabetes and celebrate the 60th anniversary of the creation of Pakistan.

Many of my council constituents in Leyton ward come from Pakistan and many people living in my ward (including most of my close family) suffer from diabetes. It was lovely to celebrate Pakistan’s birthday with all the residents who came, as well as to learn more about what we can do to combat this serious illness.

I had an absolutely lovely evening. After speeches and a gorgeous chicken dinner, guests were invited to tuck into the heavenly vision of Belgian chocolate loveliness you see above, so that diet I’m (supposed to be) on just went straight out of the window

It was also really great to catch up with and congratulate Britian’s first ever Muslim Member of the British Government(!!) Shahid Malik MP (pictured with me above), now Parliamentary Under Secretary of State to the Department for International Development, on his promotion to Government.

Shahid is the greatest living example of hard work and the powers of persistence.

Congratulations again, Shahid!

Leyton’s Pakistani community is definitely proud of what you’ve achieved and I wish you well in your new role.

Two of my favourite members of the London Assembly, Waltham Forest’s London Assembly Member Jennette Arnold (pictured above right) and London wide Assembly Member Murad Qureshi (pictured above left) also attended the event to show their support for Waltham Forest’s Pakistani community.

I also got to catch up with mates and Labour party colleagues that I hadn’t seen for a while. Good friend and former local councillor for Lea Bridge ward Stella Creasy (pictured with me above) sat with us at my table….

….as did Cllr Faiz Yunis and the lovely Laura Bruni (who expertly ran my committee room on the day I was elected to the council last year – Thanks again, my dear! ).

Many thanks again to Waltham Forest’s Mayor and Labour council collegue Cllr Liquat Ali JP(pictured with me above) for organising a fabulous evening and raising a lot of money for diabetes sufferers.

Salaam aleikoom and a huge belated Happy Birthday to all of Leyton’s Pakistani residents for the 60th anniversary of the creation of Pakistan!

Posted in: Council News,Health