#HelpUsHelpOthers

Help Us Help Others

#HelpUsHelpOthers: Celebrating our legacy and future in the community.

Our Journey: From Taverna to support Movement

Established in 2014 to honor the memory of Lakis Panayiotou, our foundation carries forward a legacy of compassion. What began as a traditional Greek taverna in Great Barr has flourished into a dedicated third-sector organisation. Today, we remain committed to supporting individuals and families facing chronic and life-threatening conditions through heartfelt community service.

Fundraising Milestones 2014 - 2026

Powering Our Mission

£ 0

Total funds raised for vital community-impacting initiatives.

Years of building a dedicated and heartfelt legacy.

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Proceeds channeled directly to People in Need

Our Philanthropic Ethos

Support Local

Our committee believes that supporting our community means ensuring help is close at hand through our fundraising efforts. It also reflects our commitment to giving back locally by supporting families and individuals who need a helping hand.

Make a Change

We want our support to have a meaningful impact on the lives of people selected through our Help Us Help Others scheme. We believe our help should bring about real change and address a specific need, rather than feel like a drop in the ocean. For each person we support, we aim to make a practical, tangible difference. Whether we’re equipping a sensory room or purchasing a state-of-the-art wheelchair, we want to see and share the positive impact we’ve made.

Understand Impact

We need to assess and understand the difference our fundraising has made—not only for the person directly affected, but also for those around them, including carers, parents, and their wider support network. How has our involvement affected both the close and broader circles of the person in need?

Create a Community

LGK believes that by supporting so many families and individuals over the years, they have naturally become part of our extended family. This creates a ripple effect: people who previously took part in fundraising for their own causes later join our team to support others. This is the positive cycle behind our programme, #HelpUsHelpOthers.

How do we do it...

Lakis Greek Kitchen

Our seasonal taverna, open at Christmas, Valentine’s Day, in May and June, and for a summer barbecue in July, generates most of the funds that enable us to support people in need. These proceeds sustain our charitable work, global program, and Rainy Day Fund.

Our catering arm

Our expanded catering service also helps raise funds, as the taverna alone can no longer meet the needs of people seeking support, fund our global programme and maintain an emergency reserve. Providing ongoing services, including our food bank and crisis support, places further demands on our finances, while the rising costs of running the charity continue to strain our resources. We cater for private events, festivals, weddings, christenings, birthdays and much more.

Community fundrasing efforts

Alongside the generous donations we receive from people and organisations across the wider community, we arrange a variety of fundraising activities both locally and internationally to help advance the causes we care about. These events give supporters meaningful ways to get involved, raise awareness, and contribute to our work. Activities include sponsored runs and walks, challenging mountain climbs, and many other opportunities to fundraise together.

Community fundrasing events

LGK’s Love People strategic pillar is powered and sponsored by Love Joes Ltd. As part of our partnership we run a series of fundraising events throughout the year to raise vital funds for the people behind the stories we collect.

Finley's sensory room...

LGK’s fundraising helped young Finley, who has learning and sensory needs, transform his room with equipment designed to engage his senses and support his development.

Adam's last bell...

LGK helped ease the financial burden on Adam and his family when they had to stop working to care for him during chemotherapy, in the hope that he would overcome cancer. Sadly, Adam did not survive. LGK funds were then used to help cover the costs of his funeral and wake.

Our covid 19 journey...

The Giannis family of seven suffered a heartbreaking loss when their father died during the pandemic, leaving them struggling to make ends meet. LGK worked tirelessly to raise funds, helping pay for essential needs and supporting the family as they adjusted to life after their loss.

The HelpUsHelpOthers Campaigns 2014-2026

LGK has fundraised for over 20+ individuals and families that suffer from life threatening conditions. Not all of those we have helped are with us so we wanted to make sure that their families and friends know that they are always in our hearts and prayers. Not all of the families and individuals are featured on this page for various reasons but those who are all have an LGK story to tell.

Becky's wish to walk...

Becky, a young woman from Walsall, was involved in a devastating accident in which she was run over and lost her leg. She needed a prosthetic leg, but it was not available to her through the NHS and was typically provided only to soldiers, so she had to pay for this essential equipment to regain some independence. While Becky worked to secure a prosthetic leg, LGK raised funds for and provided her with a specialist wheelchair.

Eliza's journey to a lasting smile...

Eliza is a young girl whose life has been affected by a cancer diagnosis. As one of several siblings, her family has faced financial pressures from taking time off work and prioritising her health. LGK helped fund a family holiday, giving them the opportunity to spend quality time together and enjoy one another’s company.

Costa's journey to good health...

Costa was diagnosed with a life-threatening cancerous brain tumor and given a poor prognosis, with limited chances of survival. A fundraising campaign was started to help send him to Germany for hormone therapy, a treatment available only through private care. LGK joined Costa, his family, and their dedicated fundraising team to make the trip possible. Costa is now receiving this therapy, and it is going well, with encouraging outcomes so far.

Edmai Wright Standford my jolly journey...

Andy's wish to walk...

Andy is a young boy striving to live a typical life and enjoy the same activities as other boys his age. LGK helped raise funds for his surgery and ongoing therapy, which transformed his life and brought him closer to his dream of walking.

Santino's home improvements...

Santino lives with a rare condition that makes moving around and managing everyday activities challenging. LGK secured essential funding for specialist equipment to help Santino move around at home and stay safe in their own space. Santno’s family have requested that we do not have pictures of their daughter on our website so this is an automated image.

The Liver Gang...

Our charitable work began in 2014 when two families from Cyprus came to the UK for liver transplants to treat amyloidosis. To support them with their living expenses as they waited for donor organs, we joined forces to open a taverna in our back garden. That experience gave rise to the charity and defined its mission. Thirteen years later, the taverna continues to raise funds for people facing desperate circumstances and life-threatening illnesses.

Love People

In partnership with Love Joes Ltd, our 2024–2028 social impact programme empowers vulnerable populations from Walsall to the global stage. We provide sustainable support and resources, continuing Lakis Panayiotou’s legacy by fostering resilience and hope through local action and international outreach.

Our Ongoing Commitment to Change

Raised £67,800 to provide essential aid and touch thousands of lives through core local projects.

Using food as a powerful vehicle for assistance and cultural connection across our community.

Preserving heritage while growing our mission to support those in need throughout Walsall.

Let's Talk

Join us in empowering our community through shared heritage and human connection.