WEEKLY News reporter George Thorpe got ready for his London Marathon - by having plenty of curry!

Last Sunday, the 27-year-old held a charity curry evening at Bongow Restaurant in Kelvedon Hatch in aid of his pot for Helen Rollason Cancer Charity.

With 39 friends and family turning up to munch down to tonnes of poppadoms, curries and naans, a total of £603.10 was raised on Sunday taking our George’s fundraising level to just over £1,700.

George, who has since achieved his fundraising target of £2,000, said the evening was a great success and could not have happened without the help of restaurant staff and his parents.

He said: “We only started organising this about three weeks ago but the guys at Bongow have been fantastic with preparing everything.

“The food was superb as well and just like everytime I’ve eaten here before the staff were excellent, so I would thoroughly recommend the restaurant to all diners.

“A big thanks must go to my parents, Lew and Louisa, who put just as much effort as I have into getting guests to come and organising the evening itself.”

Restaurant boss Alom Haque said he was more than happy to offer the venue up for the night to a charity event.

Mr Haque said: “We have held charity evenings here before alongside our music nights and we love to give something back to the community and provide some entertainment.”

Looking ahead to race day, George said he is actually looking forward to legging it around the 26.2 miles.

“My training has gone well with nothing too bad happening to my body,” he said.

“I got my number through in the post the other day and the sense of occasion has started to sink in, but I’m buzzing to go.”

To sponsor George, visit www.justgiving.com/GeorgeThorpe.