LEAP and Rutherglen Rotary have benefitted from donations of £775 each after new local restaurant Gurkha Buffet used its official opening night to raise cash for the charities.

Restaurateur Ghana Bhandari had approached the charities and pledged to share all the meal takings with the two causes.

Ghana said: “Everywhere I have worked I have raised money for local causes, and I was pleased to support LEAP and the Rotary this time round.

“I was glad so many local people, and staff from LEAP, took the time to come along and support the charities, as well as enjoy our food.

“We had hoped to raise a bit more, but we served 310 people on the day, raising £1,550 for LEAP and the Rotary.”

Stuart McGregor, LEAP’s Executive director, said: “We are really grateful to Ghana and his staff for laying on a fine buffet and for giving their time and money to support LEAP and the Rotary.

“I was honoured to be part of the official opening and thoroughly enjoyed the meal afterwards.

“It’s a great amount, and the money Ghana and his team raised will help us to continue to support older people in our community.”

Michael Shanks, MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, said: “It was a lovely gesture of Ghana and the team at Gurkha Buffet to use the proceeds from their opening day to support two fantastic local charities.

“I was delighted to cut the ribbon on this new restaurant in Halfway and see so many folk enjoying the buffet and supporting local good causes”.