On Thursday 12 October we celebrated our 14th anniversary with a glamorous, delicious and fun Gala Dinner at Mosimann’s. Each year, we collaborate with Anton Mosimann and his team to create an inspiring and creative evening of food, wine and conversation, to raise a significant level of funds for our work.
This year, guests enjoyed a Champagne reception in the minstrel’s gallery, during which our Founding Chief Executive Nicky Goulder introduced Sophie’s Story, a video generously made by Rampage Studios about our music project earlier in the year, which culminated with children performing their original song at the Design Museum.
During the evening, guests enjoyed a six-course meal, following which Colin Sheaf – Chairman of Bonhams UK – and his wife Annie conducted an auction in their wonderfully entertaining style. Lots including an overnight stay in a director’s double with breakfast at Blakes London, two Luxe Tickets to London Fashion Week Festival, a satin leather satchel by British designer Anya Hindmarch CBE and a Swiss landscape painting by our Patron Ken Howard OBE RA. Bidding was enthusiastic and, with the funds raised via table sales, our raffle – which included a prize generously donated by Bags of Love – and individual donations, we raised an astounding £37,444 net.
This will enable us to empower more disadvantaged and vulnerable people across the UK over the coming months. By carefully tailoring our programmes around the needs of each participant group, we use the creative arts to tackle low self-esteem, low self-confidence and social isolation. These funds will enable us to achieve so much.
We appreciate very much the ongoing support of our guests, Anton Mosimann OBE, Mark Mosimann and the staff at Mosimann’s, Colin and Annie Sheaf, and all who donated items for the auction and raffle.