There were innumerable factors contributing to the success of the One Kind Act Launch Party of February 2016. But, no doubt, one of the resounding elements was the auction that raised substantial amount of monies through the kind donations of many of the guests. One such guest was Mr Aalok Soni who won his bid for having the OKA Team host a cocktail and dinner party for 24 for his friends and family in the comfort of his own home.This event was agreed to take place on 14th May 2016 and it was with some trepidation that at the beginning of May, the OKA team began to make preparations. Whilst we knew we had to fulfil this obligation, we all felt a little out of our depth, as none of us were known professionals in the field of hospitality. Nevertheless, hearts and minds came together, the menu was elaborately assembled, the site was visited, the uniforms were agreed and the cocktail recipes were well 'tried and tested' beforehand. So, with considerable pre-planning and preparation, when it came to the long-awaited evening, the OKA team delivered what can only be described as a first-class, professional, and efficient culinary and cocktail experience for its 24 guests. It took 8 committee lady members in the kitchen and 4 male counterparts at the bar to present a catering delight of an assortment of mouth-watering canapés, main dishes and desserts, accompanied by copious amount of cocktails and beverages. The food and drinks were in abundance, the conversation flowing, the mood light, accentuated by a fabulous live singer to help dance the night away. Aalok Soni made a heart-warming speech in support of and thanks to OKA. This generated further kind donations of £600 donated  by the guests over and above the £800 donated for the dinner by Aalok Soni and a general uplifted feeling by all OKA committee members of a job well done. 

It was with some alarm and disbelief I read an article in the papers about the squandering of aid by the British government.According to The Times, aid "consultants" are often earning up to £120,000 a year including perks.  Individual staff in the poorest parts of Asia and Africa earn unto £1000 per day simply for spending UK's aid budget.Why is this happening?UK has a commitment to spend a certain proportion of its GDP on international aid.As this has risen, the budget has increased which has led to a spending frenzy.  It is a lucrative business for aid consultancy firms.Move over bankers, charity now has its own share of fat cats.It is sickening to imagine money sincerely donated for starving villagers, children's education, earthquake victims, innocent victims of war going towards the champagne quaffing lifestyle of a consultant.Where does that leave us?It was with respect and comfort I observed the integrity and refreshing antidote of One Kind Act.  All administration costs are covered by the trustees.  All services and time are given voluntarily.  Minimal costs aside, almost all of the money donated reaches that hungry four year old African child who has walked five miles for his only meal of the day, that isolated disabled woman in need of a wheelchair, the earnest orphanages carving out a future for  the children no one else wants, the albino child with a witch doctor's £15,000 reward on her headThere are no fat cats, no consultants, no expensive meetings with "blue sky thinking".Instead there is an intention to find those that have fallen through the net of these larger charity organisations: the bewildered, the lost, the despairing, the destitute.OKA aims not simply to give a hand-out but a hand-up. It gives opportunity and hope for a future that is dignified - a basic right all humans should have.

Mark Ramprakash is best known for his formidable and extraordinary talents as a cricketer.  He started playing cricket for Middlesex at the tender age of 17, proceeding to captain England Under-19. He moved on to the senior stage representing England. Whilst his Test career was cut short by the vagaries of the Selection Committee, he remained a prolific player for Middlesex and Surrey. At county level he was regarded as the top player in the country making over 100 first class centuries. He has recently become the batting coach for the successful England Test Team that won back the Ashes in Summer 2015. In 2006 he showcased another talent contesting in BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.  The reserved, enigmatic man of cricket took England by storm shimmying and strutting in slinky unbuttoned shirts to finally win series championship.  He modestly put it down to discipline in training that was ingrained in sportsmen. Brought up in Harrow, educated at Gayton High School and then Harrow Weald Sixth Form College, Mark's earliest memories are of his father bowling a plastic ball to his plastic bat.  At a young age he excelled at both football and cricket, playing for Watford FC.  It is cricket's gain that he eventually chose a career in the sport.  Mark was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to sport. OKA is delighted and honoured to have him as a patron of the charity.