A Bangladeshi chef has thanked the Oxford Mail for helping him in his campaign to build an orphanage in his home country.

Muhammad Ali, who works at the Karma restaurant, in Oxford Road, Cowley, Oxford, has been fundraising for the orphanage in his home town of Sylhet since the area was devastated by Cyclone Sid in November last year.

Mr Ali planned to organise a charity meal for 200 people, raising the £5,000 needed to begin construction work.

But he was unable to find anywhere with a space large enough for the dinner who was willing to offer it free of charge.

However, following an article about the cyclone in the Oxford Mail, St Edward's School, in Woodstock Road, Oxford, has offered Mr Ali free use of the school's main hall and kitchen.

Mr Ali said: "The Bangladeshi community in Oxford would like to express its heartfelt thanks to St Edward's and the Oxford Mail for their generosity and support.

"We had hoped at first that the meal would go ahead in June of this year, but we couldn't find a venue without payment.

"All of the venues I looked at wanted about £2,000.

"Finally, after a long and weary wait, we were very lucky to receive the very kind offer from the warden of St Edward's.

"They've done everything they can to help me and I am very grateful to them."

Earlier this year, Mr Ali returned to Bangladesh and fed more than 1,600 people left homeless by the cyclone.

He now hopes that, through annual fundraising efforts like the dinner, he can raise the £60,000 needed to build an orphanage to provide homes for 300 under-16s.

Andrew Trotman, warden of St Edward's, said: "One of my colleagues in administration heard that the dinner Mr Ali had been going to put on was at risk of being cancelled because no-one would let him have a venue.

"St Edward's was only too pleased to be able to help out and I hope that the evening is very enjoyable and successful."

Tickets for the black tie dinner on Tuesday, October 21, cost £40.

The price includes two complimentary bottles of wine per table, a glass of champagne on arrival and a range of entertainment, including Sal, Oxford's Indian Elvis impersonator.

An award will also be made on the night for Oxfordshire's Best Curry Chef, and groups of over six will be eligible for a discount.

To purchase tickets, call Muhammad Ali on 0773 3263500 or Azad Hussain on 0771 7131516.