A NEWPORT restaurant donated £700, an entire night’s takings, to the Help LeoWalk fund.

All proceeds from sit-down meals and takeaway orders at the Maharaja restaurant in Clarence Place on Thursday went directly to the cause.

A further £500 was donated by a mysterious benefactor, who walked into the restaurant, handed over a cheque and left without giving their name.

The Maharaja recently reopened after a small fire in the kitchen forced them to close.

Owner Abdul Hussain, 27, also put on a free meal for two-year-old Leo Dixon and his parents.

Leo, from Maindee, was born six weeks early and cannot crawl, walk or even sit comfortably.

In February he underwent a series of tests and was eventually diagnosed with cerebral palsy and spastic diplegia.

His parents, Kate, 28, and Mike Dixon, 36, set up Help Leo Walk to raise the £60,000 needed for Leo to undergo surgery in America which could help him walk.

Mr Hussain said: “It’s been hard with the restaurant shutting down, but I read an article in the Argus about Leo and it really put our problems in perspective.

“That little boy’s story really touched all of us, and I felt I wanted to do something to help raise the £60,000 needed to help him walk.

“It’s a lot of money, and I understand it is best for him to have the operation while he is still young, so that’s why I want to help.”

Leo’s mum said: “We had a really, really good night, it was amazing, and he spoiled us rotten.

We raised £700 from the meals sold, and someone just walked in and wrote us a cheque for another £500.

“We also got an extra £100 in sponsorship as we are doing a charity skydive next weekend to raise money for Leo.

“I can’t fault it, it was an amazing night. We couldn’t believe how many people turned up. We can’t say enough how helpful and generous people have been. Thank you to everyone who donated.”

For more information, or to donate, visit www.helpleowalk.co.uk.

The Maharaja restaurant in Clarence Place, Newport, is donating all of tonight’s takeaway takings to the Help Leo Walk fund.

All proceeds from takeaways and collected food (not sit-down meals) will be given directly to the cause. For more information, or to order a takeaway, call the Maharaja 01633 263035 or visit www.helpleowalk.co.uk