35th Annual Vision Charity Ball
Great Room, Grosvenor House, London
4th December 2010
Triumph – The 34th Annual Vision Ball raised considerable sums for their work helped by Patrons David and Coraline Ginola and Cheryl Baker
The 34th Annual Vision Charity Ball which was both a memorable evening and a resounding success tool place in The Great Room of the Grosvenor House Hotel, which had been transformed into an oriental delight. The room was packed with Vision supporters who were wonderfully entertained and contributed to raising a considerable amount of money that will help so many blind, visually impaired and dyslexic children.
Greeted by a Chinese Bazarre, the guests enjoyed a Champagne Reception to the delightful music of The Chinese Quartet. They were also able to admire the record breaking car of our Patron and world blind land speed record holder, Mike Newman. As the guests moved into the Great Room they descended the staircase under the Chinese arches to the most beautifully decorated room of Red Banners, lanterns and tables dressed with orchids.
The evening was hosted by Rory Bremner and the revellers were entertained by Drummers, Chinese Ribbon Dancers, an opera singer from Madam Butterly, the fabulous ‘JUMP, and the guests ended the evening dancing into the early hours with the fabulous band Bodkin Lane and a Disco. It was just stunning.
The evening was hosted by Rory Bremner and the revellers were entertained by Drummers, Chinese Ribbon Dancers, an opera singer from Madam Butterly, the fabulous ‘JUMP, and the guests ended the evening dancing into the early hours with the fabulous band Bodkin Lane and a Disco. It was just stunning.
A video, highlighting the work of Vision which included Patron, Mike Newman who is not only the current world blind land speed record holder and but is also a Barclays Bank Manager. Also on the night it was announced that David and Coraline Ginola had become Patrons of Vision Charity. Both played a part on the night which included a very touching speech by Coraline who went on to draw the magnificent Ares Diamond and present it to the lucky winner. Amazingly the winner went on to donate this piece for auction which gained another £12K. The lucky bidder went home with a rare and wonderful flawless diamond
Cheryl Baker, also a Vision Patron, made a major contribution to the success of this year’s Chairman’s Challenge which succeeded in its objective to raise significant funds for Linden Lodge School for Theatrical and Production Equipment.
Another Vision Patron, Mike Newman, also had a strong presence on the night. He spoke directly to those present in the wonderful Vision Film. He is the current blind land speed record holder and his world record winning car was present on the night along with its makers and sponsors Keating.
Vision Chairman, Herbert Brenninkmeijer, was delighted by the generous response of that night. Larry Davis, Vision’s Executive Director, called upon individuals to come onto the stage and pledge £500 – some pledged £1000 and one anonymous donor pledged £20,000. As always, our Vision supporters surpassed themselves.
A new and exciting initiative is the Diamond Game, Buy a shot glass containing a cubic zirconia. One lucky person whose ticket was drawn by Coraline Ginola had their stone upgraded to a flawless diamond. read heart warming story.
Herbert also thanked our Patrons and supporters for their considerable support and loyalty to Vision throughout the year and on the night. He also called upon those present to join the growing band of ‘Visioneers’ so that this time next year we can meet again in the knowledge that we have changed the lives of significantly more children.
Amongst those generous supporters on the night was Vanessa LLoyd Platt.
The main fundraising elements of the evening were the Auction and the Silent Auction.
Amongst the many items were the following:
- F1 Monte Carlo Experience
- Henry Moore Original Etching
- The Ultimate Sports Experience
- End Panel of Front Wing of Jenson Button’s Championship Winning Car donated by Vision supporter Jenson Button
- Celebrity Make over performed by 4 top celebrity experts
- Watch Rod Stewart Play Football on the Pitch at his home and take a photo home of the winner at the event as a souvenir donated by Vision supporter Penny Lancaster Stuart
- Dinner for 8 cooked in your own home by Top Chef
- Extremely Rare Beatles Autographs
The evening finished with a live band and the huge dance floor was packed with dancers until the early hours.
We would like to sincerely thank all who contributed to the success of the evening, who are many, but in particular we would like to thank Sadie Groom and her team from Bubble and Squeak who organised this stunning event and our sponsors. We would also like to thank all those organisations and individuals that donated so generously to our Auctions and prizes. It is always difficult to mention everyone but we would like to highlight:We would also like to thank:
| Brennington Investments | Cliff Hayes |
| Harris | Lisa Shepherd |
| Mintel | Ariane Poole |
| Deluxe Digital | Katie Price |
| Fineline Media Finance | Stuart Warrender |
| Richard Morgan & Company | Divertimenti |
| Bubble and Squeak | Nick Deacon |
| Hertford King – Stoke Park Club | Judi Wilkes |
| Flutes Brasserie | The French Table Restaurant |
| Jenson Button and the Brawn GP Team | Conference Craft Limited |
| Matt Jones of Benchmark Sport Holding | The Malt House |
| Ares Diamonds of Hatton Garden | Executive Sports |
| Sue Moxley | Kathryn Freeland |
| Ceril Campbell | Michael Groom |
| Paul Edmonds | Silk Purse Limited |
| Nicky Johnston | Red Arrows |
| Evolutions Post Production | Forman and Field Hamper |
| David Barrett | Heathcote & Ivory |
| Penny Lancaster- Stewart | David Ian Productions |
| Colin Montgomery | Oriel Hairdressers - Highgate |
| Justin Rose | Tonic Beauty - Highgate |
| Stoke Park Club | Wella |
| Peter Thompson | Clothes Show |
| John Lewis Partnership | Soho Hotel |
| Malvern Spa | Grosvenor House |
Our Patrons: Katie Price, Melanie Sykes, Dr Julia Scholfield MBE, David and Coraline Ginola, Cheryl Baker, Mike Newman, Kara Tointon, Hannah Tointon, Susan Hampshire OBE, Ken Follett, Nicholas Parson and Mike Simkins.
We would also like to thank our Production Team which included:
Simon Dunnell – Technical Manager
Christian Murayt – Mirage Productions
Tim Terry – Superstars Auction Items
Sara Brady – Event Manger for Bubble and Squeak
Stuart Westcombe – Room and Table Decoration
James Fransella – Treefrog Design
P & A Press
Evolutions Post Production
We are also grateful to all those companies and individuals who advertised in the Brochure and who gave so generously throughout the year and during tonight’s event.
We are planning many exciting events for the coming year, so keep visiting our website for information – and, do put the date in your diary for next year’s ball – 4th December 2010 same venue!.
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