Pictured above: James Caan

Entrepreneur, businessman and TV's Dragon Den star James Caan is guest speaker at a fundraising dinner next month, which is hoped by joint organisers Challinors, St Philips Chambers and award-winning restaurant Itihaas, will raise thousands of pounds for the Pakistan Flood Appeal.

James, who set up The James Caan Foundation, is committed to helping the victims affected by the floods in Pakistan. Caan visited Pakistan in August when he personally delivered food packages to thousands of families left homeless and starving by the floods. He is now embarking on the 'Build a Village' project to help those victims get their lives back on track.   

He will join other speakers, a celebrity compere, a comedian and hundreds from Birmingham's business community at the fundraising dinner at St John's Swallow Hotel, Solihull on Friday 12th November. 

All proceeds from the event will be distributed to at least two Foundations and Charities tasked with implementing the reconstruction phase of the flood-affected areas of Pakistan, in particular the building of schools, hospitals and houses.

Challinors' Partner Ghulam Sohail explains the event will give the West Midlands' business community the chance to play a part in raising much-needed funds for the Pakistan Flood Appeal: "We have all seen the devastating scenes from Pakistan over the last few weeks and the impact the floods have had on the country, and which have left an estimated twenty million individuals homeless and struggling for food.

"Several of my family, friends and business associates have already embarked on their own fundraising for the Flood Appeal and I wanted to do something too. I spoke to Joe Wilson, Chief Clerk at St Philips Chambers and Raj Rana, managing director of Itihaas about the idea of a fundraising dinner and between us we have organised the event. We hope that through ticket sales, an auction and raffle on the night, we could raise between £30,000 and £40,000 for the Appeal. 

"We are all now working together to rally our contacts across the West Midlands, and play a part in what has the makings of a fantastic and enjoyable evening."

James Caan added: "I am very much looking forward to visiting Birmingham and attending the dinner which is in aid of a very worthwhile charity and one which is very close to my heart. Pakistan has been devastated by what is the worst natural disaster globally in recent times. With nearly twenty million people affected, 1600 lives lost, an area the size of Britain flooded and cholera and water borne diseases spreading rapidly through the affected areas, this disaster is a priority for the James Caan Foundation. This type of fundraising event is exactly what is needed to help Pakistan at this dreadful time and I welcome the support of all those involved."

To book tickets for the Black Tie Fundraising Dinner, and for information about sponsorship opportunities and donating a raffle or auction prize, contact Ghulam Sohail, tel: 0121 553 3211, email: ghulam.sohail@challinors.co.uk.