We are delighted to announce that our glittering charity ball has been hailed a fantastic success! The Glitter Ball was held at The Hangar, Kesgrave Hall on Friday night in support of ourselves Inspire and the GeeWizz charitable foundation – and raised an incredible £52,565 for our two charities.
280 guests enjoyed an evening of entertainment, hosted by television presenter and journalist Chris Hollins, with a grand auction adding to the final total raised.
Terry Baxter, chief executive of Inspire, said:
“We have always received fantastic support for our Inspire events and we were delighted to partner up with GeeWizz for this special occasion. We would like to thank everyone who supported the evening and helped to raise a fantastic amount for our worthwhile causes.”
The money raised will go towards the young people Inspire supports to overcome challenges and take positive steps in their lives to help them back into employment and further training.
Gina Long MBE, founder of GeeWizz, said she was blown away by the community support which helped make the evening such a success – including auction prizes and other donations from business and individuals.
She said: “It was a wonderful night where everyone in the room has made a direct difference to their local community by raising crucial funds for our charities. We are so grateful to all our supporters, especially our main sponsors, Paul Milsom, Milsom Hotels and Restaurants, Mark Gaywood, Momentum Pensions, Taras Townsend, Orbital Foods, James Taylor TMJ Interiors and Guy Nicholls, Tippers ‘R’ Us and Trucks ‘R’ Us, who during the evening donated another £5,000.
“It has been wonderful working with Inspire as we share a passion and commitment to provide life-changing support and intervention to all we work with.”
While GeeWizz will use the money raised to support local disabled people or young people and families living with cancer.
The grand auction, hosted by Edward Crichton of Lacy Scott and Knight, was a huge draw with star prizes donated by the likes of Beatles photographer Tom Murray and a chance to have the award-winning Pascal and Karine Canevet prepare a sumptuous meal for eight people in your own home – which went for an amazing £3,200 on the night, Thurlow Champness Jewellers donated a beautiful pair of Diamond Earrings raising £5,000, Simpson Travel, donated an Idyllic Holiday, Matt Holland is hosting a dinner for 10 guests courtesy of The Brudenell Hotel, Aldeburgh.
Other prizes were donated by Archant, Liz and Mike Spencer, Tony Molloy, Manchester United, Krazy Horse and Austin Cornish, Bury Developments, England v Australia tickets, while Bury St Edmunds-based Tudor Rose Florist donated ‘thank you’ bouquets for the organising team and main sponsors.
Internationally renowned Ben Mosley was the evening’s ‘artist in residence’, live-painting a unique work of art raised £10,000. Entertainment came courtesy of the Ashton Jones Project and Sound 4 Pro Audio Discotheque, who had Kesgrave Hall rocking until the early hours.
The evening was sponsored by TMJ Interiors, Tippers ’R’ Us, Milsom Hotels and Restaurants, Trucks ‘R’ Us and Momentum pension specialists.
Take a look at all the pictures from the evening here…
