A KIDDERMINSTER Indian restaurant is spicing up our Bramble Appeal by pledging some of its takings towards giving the 1934 canal boat a new lease of life.

Cafe Masala, in Mill Street will donate 30 per cent of money made from the restaurant and takeaway on Monday, February 26 to The Shuttle’s appeal.

Manager Hussain Moshahid said: “We are very happy to support the Bramble Appeal. We feel it is very important for the boat to be retored as it is a community project and everybody should support our event.”

He said he would like to take son Abid, 14 and daughters Anika, 12, Keya, 9 and Takia, 4 to see Bramble when she is returned to her former glory as a working boat.

“It is important to teach children about the canal and its role in times past,” he added. “I would urge any parent to support the campaign.”

Mr Moshahid’s brother and head chef Mokbul Hussain is looking forward showcasing his new menu to loyal customers and newcomers. The restaurant, which achieved a five star food hygiene rating from Wyre Forest District Council, will be open from 5pm until 11.30pm for the Bramble event.

The Shuttle wants to raise £7,000 to pay for a new prop shaft, mechanical and electrical work, new covers and fenders, a lick of paint and historic and replica items to furnish Bramble’s living quarters as they would have been in times past.

Volunteers for Stourport Forward, which owns the boat, will set to work so that generations of schoolchildren will be able to use her as an educational resource, to gain an insight into life on the waterways.

In the future she might even take passengers on trips around Stourport Canal Basins, where she is moored.

Ways to jump aboard our Bramble Appeal: If you or your school or group can organise a fund-raising event, contact The Shuttle and we will help publicise it by featuring it in our weekly coverage of the appeal.

If you wish to send a donation, make cheques payable to Stourport Forward Limited and send them to Jennifer Meierhans, at The Shuttle, 6 Towers Buildings, Blackwell Street, Kidderminster DY10 2DY. Please include your contact details as Stourport Forward would like to respond with letters of thanks to all those supporting the appeal.

If you can help with materials for Bramble’s refurbishment, contact Jennifer Meierhans on 01562 633346.For more details of the appeal, contact Shuttle editor Clive Joyce on 01384 358282.