Southampton restaurant, Purbani, has raised a whopping £7,000 for Leukaemia UK.

Throughout June, the Botley-based eatery participated in the charity's new initiative, 'Cooking Up Change'.

This initiative saw establishments like bars, pubs, and restaurants across the country hosting sizzling fundraising events.

The aim was to raise money for crucial research into leukaemia and related blood disorders.

'Cooking Up Change' included enticing establishments with a chance to secure tickets for Leukaemia UK’s exclusive culinary event 'Who’s Cooking Dinner?' set to take place at The Dorchester in London in September.

Purbani’s Abby Khalique was inspired to take part in Cooking Up Change after her father was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) last year.

She said: "We decided to take part in Cooking Up Change following my dad’s diagnosis as we wanted to do something to help make a change.

"It was important for us to get the community involved, and our family got very creative to come up with exciting community activities too. My six-year-old daughter, Aaliya, swam 50 lengths at our local pool and fundraised at her primary school too. We are ecstatic that we have raised the most money and really hope that this makes a difference to the research for kinder and more effective treatments for leukaemia."

Purbani hosted an elegant Gala where guests had the opportunity to indulge in Bengali and Indian specialities as well take part in a luxury raffle draw and a silent auction. Winners received two exclusive tickets to 'Who's Cooking Dinner?' at The Dorchester.

They'll also enjoy exclusive accommodation in the capital.

This Michelin-star draped event, currently in its 25th year, lures the UK’s top chefs. Past participants have included renowned chefs like Gordon Ramsey, Jamie Oliver, and Tom Kerridge.

The funds from 'Cooking Up Change' are heading towards Leukaemia UK's coffers to bankroll more humane, superior treatments for this devastating disease.

Every day we have twenty-seven new leukaemia cases in the UK, and only half of those diagnosed persevere beyond five years.

As such, Leukaemia UK is committed to funding research that advances progress and halts the disease from destroying lives.