​ ​	Iman Ogoo, Youth Engagement Project Administrator at Jimmy Asher Foundation, tells us all about their annual Memorial Fundraiser.​

Youth organisation Jimmy Asher Foundation (JAF) held their annual Memorial Fundraiser Dance at the Tooting & Balham Social Club on Friday 15th December.

This year marked 5 years since the passing of Denzil ‘Jimmy Asher’ Maye, a local man who was an advocate and supporter of youth in the community. The Jimmy Asher Foundation was founded in his honour by his eldest son Joseph Maye and close family friend Tafari Samuel as a way to build on the lifelong aspirations of Jimmy, giving a helping hand to young people through workshops and activities.

Every year, JAF use the memorial as an opportunity to acknowledge and reward outstanding contributions to the organisation’s work. Certificates and awards are given to staff, coaches and tutors that go above and beyond to make the youth projects such a great experience. The event is also a chance to raise funds to continue providing these projects, as they cannot rely solely on Government funding.

Drummers from the Twelve Tribes of Israel Rastafarian HQ opened up the celebration before the ceremony commenced. Award winners were congratulated and Anita Richards of ALR Services & Consultancy organised some fantastic prizes for a raffle, donated from local businesses to help raise funds for JAF: tasty hand-cooked snacks from Chika’s Foods, a massage voucher from Holistic Approach, a Fulham FC Training Kit from Cre8 Football, luxury health and skincare goods from Forever Feel Fab and a meal for two at Balham’s Mango Bottoms Caribbean restaurant.

Guests then danced the night away to reggae music provided by I-Spy, Marshalleck Movements & GT, Supa Gee, Weng Weng and DJ Tris. A delicious Caribbean feast was provided by Jerky Junction and Chef Kadian, who also heads the JAF-supported Christmas Luncheon for the homeless and less fortunate in Portland and St. Thomas, Jamaica.

Attendees included many of the Foundation’s Youth Workshop leaders such as Rising Star MMA who deliver Boxing and Martial Arts workshops, Prophet Newton (Coconut and Natural Health workshops), the JAF Young Voices youth radio show hosts, Simply Kleen Ltd who maintain and clean the JAF headquarters and ‘Prisoner To The Streets’ author Robyn Travis who doubles up as a youth boxing coach. Local musicians were also in attendance, including reggae artist Dan-I and members of the chart-topping So Solid Crew.

It was a wonderful night for a fantastic cause, and all proceeds will help the organisation to reach more young people in need.

For more photos and videos of the JAF Memorial Fundraiser, visit @jimmyasherfoundation on Instagram or check out the website www.jimmyasherfoundation.org.

The Jimmy Asher Foundation is committed to working in partnership with local communities, in addition to local and central Government agencies. Together we strive to empower young people and equip them with skills that prepare them for a positive future.

To find out more about the Jimmy Asher Foundation, visit www.jimmyasherfoundation.org