Association provides aid to people from Goan Community either in UK or in Goa, mainly the sick and needy
LONDON
BFS Events under the banner of United Friends London/UK organised the New Year’s Dinner Dance ‘Bye Bye 2023 & Welcome 2024’ at St David’s Church Hall, Stanwell, Staines in London on December 31. Over 200 guests attended the celebrations.
UK’s popular Goan Trio Band ‘Jus Leo & Zie’ with Vally, Duo ‘Desmond and Emercy, One-Man AGGY D. on saxophone and DJ Xavier Barreto played for the event. Simon Varella, a popular MC for Goan social events, compered the event.
A buffet spread for the event was catered by Fredy Wilfred Carvalho of Mum’s Delight Caterers while the décor was done by CCubes Deco by Drina and Tim. The photography was done by Frazer Correia who came all the way from Ireland for the event.
A highlight of the midnight special was the London fireworks which were shown on the screen.
United Friends London/UK have been organising the St Francis Xavier’s Feast Dance for the last seven years, last year being the seventh edition on December 2, 2023. This New Year’s eve dinner and dance was organised for the first time based on the demand from their regular customers and friends.
The United Friends London/UK was established in August 2017 and the team comprises Sonia Antao as president and other members include Brito Carvalho, Gudencio Fernandes, Vallen Fernandes, Savio Fernandes, Sanjay Andrade and Fredy Carvalho.
A New Year’s raffle draw was held at the event and three grand prizes were given out for the raffle draw besides other spot prizes.
“Our regular guests keep requesting us to organise regular Goan social events as they know that we give value for their money. So, their love and support gives us motivation, and they keep attending our events,” says Sonia Antao, President of United Friends London/UK.
Fredy Wilfred Carvalho of Mum’s Delight Caterers, who is also a team member of United Friends London/UK, says, “Our St Francis Xavier Feast Dance is always sold out in spite of so many other shows held on the day in UK. We have been organising the SFX dance for the last seven years. Our motivation comes from our regular friends and well-wishers. For the New Year’s Eve dinner dance, we had to refuse at least 40-50 people as we did not have any spaces.”
“Part of the proceeds of our events go to help our people from the Goan Community either in UK or back home in Goa, mainly the sick and needy. We help mostly individuals rather than charity organisations or institutions.”
