EVENT CELEBRATES THE BEST OF OUR CITY

This article (about Our Leicester Day) is published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Event celebrates the best of our city 

People turned out to an event promoting local charities, community groups, societies and clubs yesterday. 

Up to 100 organisations showcased their work and activities during the inaugural Our Leicester Day, held at the city's market. 

Businessman and charity worker Richard Brucciani came up with idea after seeing a similar event while on holiday in France. 

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, who attended the event, said: "It's a wonderful opportunity for groups from all over the city to share their activities with the whole community. This is a great initiative." 

Dawn Morgan, 54, of Newfoundpool, Leicester, said: "I've just come into town with my daughter and grandchildren and happened across this. I never knew there were so many organisations doing so much good work in Leicester." 

Community worker Riaz Ravat said: "We see Our Leicester Day as a chance to promote the work we do and the opportunities for people to get involved. 

"But what is more significant is that we're showing how Christians and Muslims can work together on the 10th anniversary of 9/11." 

Mr Ravat arranged for leaders from the Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh faiths to visit people and businesses following last month's violence in Leicester. He said: "We want to help restore the reputation of Leicester because the city has taken a few knocks recently." 

Our Leicester Day featured a diverse mix of groups, ranging from a sci-fi club and Viking enthusiasts to organisations helping people cope with cancer, HIV, sexual assault and domestic abuse. 

John Niblett, of the Rotary Club of Oadby Launde, said the group hoped to recruit more members by taking part in the event. He said: "It gives the organisations who carry out so much voluntary work in Leicester a chance to make the public aware and hopefully involve them in the work that they do."