Popular Indian street food restaurant, Mowgli, hosted an evening for a bereaved dads support group, as part of its pledge to support Derian House Children’s Hospice.
The dads meet up once a month at the Chorley-based charity, to talk, listen, and share their experiences of grief.
This month, they took their support group to Mowgli – Preston town centre’s popular new Indian street food restaurant – where they dined like kings.
Mowgli Street Food has supported Derian House since 2022 and has so far raised more than £20,000 for the 400 babies, children and young people it cares for.
The Mowgli Trust was set up by founder, Nisha Katona MBE, to specifically raise funds for local charities within the cities she takes Mowgli, and by simply adding a £1 discretionary donation onto the end of every bill has already raised over £1.8million for both local and international charities, since 2014.
Bereaved dad Tom Kinder, whose son Alfie passed away in April this year, said: “To hold one of our groups outside of the hospice made for a lovely change. The venue was great, the company was great, and the food was definitely great. We were able to talk over the food – just like we do in the support group back at Derian. Thanks so much to Mowgli.
“Not many people will ever understand what it means to lose a child. The Derian dads group gives you the freedom to talk to other dads who have been through something similar. Everyone listens with an open mind and open arms if need be, but we also spend a lot of time just chatting about sports, current events, or throwing out the old trusty dad jokes.
“We had a brilliant time at Mowgli. When I found out that Preston Mowgli add £1 to the bill and donate the proceeds to Derian – it made me tear up. It’s impressive – and definitely makes me want to go back even more.”
Mark Howarth, of Penwortham, lost his son George, aged nine, nine years ago.
“It was great to have the dad’s group in a different setting,” said Mark.
“We have a great camaraderie – and in the restaurant it was the same old banter! We really enjoyed the food, it was excellent. I’d definitely recommend the chat bombs and the tamarind treacle fries. And the service was great, they couldn’t do enough for us.
“The bereaved dads group is a great place to share with dads who understand what you’re going through without having to explain. We really enjoyed doing it in a different environment over delicious food – it means a lot that Mowgli thought of us.”
Lucy Maxwell, Family Support Worker at Derian House, said: “Our bereaved dads enjoyed a lovely evening of delicious food and good conversation at Preston Mowgli. There was a great atmosphere and everyone commented on how fantastic the food was.
“At Derian House we care for the whole family. The bereaved dads group was set up to give our bereaved dads a space to chat, support each other, and find friends in like-minded dads. And yes there are some serious conversations, but there is a lot of laughter too.
“These dads are part of a group that no one wants to be a part of, but they are flourishing. They are a lovely group of men who support each other and understand what each other is going through. The meal at Mowgli was an incredibly kind gesture and it meant a lot to the dads – they really enjoyed themselves.”
Nisha Katona, Mowgli Chief Executive and founder, said: “It was our pleasure to welcome the dads of Derian House into our Preston restaurant. To be able to support the local children and families of Preston who need life changing care, is the very reason Mowgli exists. To stand with Derian House Children’s Hospice is the least that we can do.”
Derian House, based in Chorley, cares for more than 400 babies, children, young people and their families from across the North West and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
