Sussex and Small Batch are raising money to fight podoconiosis, a debilitating disease that affects millions of people.

An event to raise awareness and money to combat podo (or podoconiosis) will be taking place next week at Small Batch Coffee’s Jubilee Street store in Brighton - with all proceeds going towards Preventing Podo.

The event, taking place on Thursday 13 July from 7.30–10.30pm, will include an array of Ethiopian specialities including complimentary Ethiopian food and a DJ playing Ethiopian tunes. A fine selection of Ethiopian beers will be on sale throughout the evening – with all profits going towards the podo charity.

The event will also feature a talk from Professor Gail Davey, who is leading the research into podo in BSMS. 

Small Batch – run by former East Slope flatmates and Sussex alumni, Alan Tomlins and Nick Barlow - are raising awareness of its notable effects and hope to raise money to continue the work that is being done to prevent it.

The disease itself is a form of elephantiasis caused by many years of barefoot contact with irritants in highland red-clay soil which has been identified in more than 25 countries in the tropics of central and South America, Africa and Asia.

However, it is Ethiopia, a country that is synonymous with some of the world’s finest coffee beans, which has more recorded cases than anywhere else in the world. It is this that has brought Small Batch and the University together in partnership to fight its effects in what is the original coffee-producing nation.

Head of Marketing & Digital at Small Batch and Sussex alumnus, Nick Barlow, said: “We got involved with Podo when we were approached to feature in Falmer, the Sussex alumni magazine. They mentioned the podo charity and its connections with Ethiopia – a country we do a lot of work in – and it just made a lot of sense to be involved together.

“To do our bit we will be hosting an event here at Small Batch on 13 July. It will be an Ethiopian night to raise money and awareness for Preventing Podo. We’ve got some great things going on – including a talk from Cory Bush of Falcon Speciality (our import partners) and Professor Gail Davey from BSMS.

“There’ll also be a raffle with some sweet prizes from Small Batch and other local businesses, too. It should be a great night.”

Tickets for this unique event can be found here and cost £5.