Cherishindia became a registered charity in Scotland in December 2007 with the primary aim of funding the building of a new orphanage for The Love Care Centre near Chennai, India.

Since then, we have raised over £112,000; from small fundraisers such a Margarita night and coffee mornings to a ‘Grand Charity Event’ held at the Edinburgh International Convention Centre in April 2008, which raised in excess of £42,000.

Over the next year, plans were drawn up by a local Indian architect in collaboration with Sophia and John Chelladurai (the founders and directors of the Love Care Centre) and our own Scottish Project Manager, John Gunn, a very experienced Structural Engineer, who has led projects for international companies and organisations worldwide and donated his services for free.

The new Love Care Centre was successfully completed in September 2010, covering over 6000 square feet and providing 6 dormitories for the children: 3 each for boys and girls.  As well as a large central indoor playing area, the children now have plenty of space to run around with a new football and volleyball pitch.

Having achieved our 'founding aims', we are beginning to identify ways in which we can continue to support the Love Care Centre, for example:

• Expanding our number of child sponsors, currently numbering around 50 (there are around 120 children at the LCC). This is vital to sustain a reasonable standard of living and education for our children.
• Providing extra items not included in the main construction, for example; front gates, back-up generator, mosquito door screens etc.
• Providing school furniture/equipment and outdoor/sports equipment.
• Fundraising for a smaller building to provide gap year accommodation and an administration area.
• Fundraising for 'large purchases' over the coming years, for example; a new vehicle to replace the current ageing one.
• Helping the LCC to develop its local Indian support base by raising awareness of their needs and requirements with Indian sponsors and supporters.