Kerala Association Derry cooking up delicious Chicken Tikka fundraiser

The Kerala Association Derry is cooking up a delicious Chicken Tikka Charity Challenge 2026 fundraiser in aid of Foyle Search and Rescue.

Speaking to The Derry News, Simi Rajeev, chairperson of the Association said the event is to thank Foyle Search and Rescue for the “amazing help and support” its volunteers have provided.

The Kerala Association Derry is a non-profit community organisation which brings together and works for the socio-cultural development of the Indian Malayalee (Keralite) community in the Derry City and Strabane District Council, and surrounding, area. It represents people from Kerala in Southern India. 

“Last year was the first year of our Chicken Tikka Charity Challenge fundraiser,” said Simi. “We cooked the chicken tikka masala and people bought it and we were able to donate all of the proceeds, £4,204 to the Foyle Hospice.

“We decided to do another fundraiser this year in aid of Foyle Search and Rescue,” she added.

“We have booked the wonderful Bready Cricket Club which has a beautiful big kitchen and we have a professional chef cooking our delicious chicken tikka masala.

“We have taken the greatest care with ingredients regarding food allergies in the preparation of our meals, which will also be gluten free and there is a vegetarian option available.

“Last year we delivered around 800 boxes, half of them in Altnagelvin for lunch and then in the evening we delivered to Clooney Community Centre, where everyone else picked up their order.

“I am pleased to say Clooney Community Centre (BT476LE) is our pick-up location once again,” said Simi, who added that all meals had to be pre-ordered, as there was no capacity for walk-in orders.

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“The Kerala community has been an integral part of Derry for more than 25 years. Its members contributed significantly to the local healthcare sector, with many members working as doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals,” said Simi.

“Next Friday’s Chicken Tikka Charity Challenge fundraiser is part of the Kerala Association’s ongoing commitment to giving back,” she added.

The Chicken Tikka Charity Challenge 2026 fundraiser details are as follows:

Each meal costs £8

Pre-order deadline - Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Pick-up / delivery date - Friday, February 6, 2026.

Hospital delivery time - 12.00pm to 2.00pm 

Pick-up at Clooney Community Centre - 3.30pm to 5.00pm

To order a meal, please email: Keralaasso@yahoo.co.uk or phone the Association: 07490187730; Simi: 07884970542; Jesty: 07849770096; or Hari: 7442657188.

The account details for payment are: Kerala Association, account number: 16301053, sort code: 98-00-60.