A FLYER found on a bus led to more than 150 people being able to celebrate the festival of Diwali in North Finchley on Wednesday.

Members of the Barnet Elderly Asian Foundation feared they may have to cancel the annual celebration, one of the biggest for Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, which also marked its 32nd anniversary.

The usual donation from the Lions Club of Finchley had not come through, but by chance foundation chairman Dipak Jashapara, found a flyer on a bus advertising the Fred Wolffing fund.

Mr Jashapara said: “We were really sad as we didn't think we would be able to provide this event this year.

“The foundation gives the elderly a chance to get together and socialise and Diwali is one of the biggest events in our calendar, so it's really important.

“Fortunately thanks to the generosity of Stephen Goldberg, a trustee of the estate, we were able to get the money and run such a great event.”

Fred Wolffing was a Jewish refugee whose family fled persecution under Nazi regime and who lived in Barnet towards the end of his life.

Yesterday 155 50 to 90-year-olds from the foundation, as well as local councillors including Mayor of Barnet Councillor Anthony Finn, celebrated the Festival of Light in the Shree Depala Mitramandal in Church Lane.

Among a programme of activities were traditional dances and music.

Mr Jashapara added: “we had people from every faith there enjoying themselves which is what multiculturalism is all about.

“We also demonstrated the Big Society idea by getting people together during this time of cuts and doing something for the community.”