Mad Hatter ball raises £75,000 for NSPCC
BUSINESSES in Coventry and Warwickshire dug deep to raise whopping £40,000 in just five minutes for the NSPCC.
A glitzy Mad Hatter ball, organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Board and held at the Ricoh Arena, was raising funds to support the work of Boole House in the city centre.
Boole House works closely with vulnerable children and their families. Three young people who have been supported by the centre spoke at the event – prompting the 550-strong audience to raise more than £40,000 in pledges in just five minutes.
The evening raised a total of £75,000 for the NSPCC.
Entertainment included performances from vocalist Georgia and the Vintage Band, an auction, a diamond ring raffle and also an air ticket draw donated by Turkish Airlines.
The event was organised by the group’s events committee headed by Hamilton Bland, who acted as master of ceremonies for the evening.
He said: “It really was a very special evening. We were thrilled and very touched by the generosity of all those who were present.
“After the very moving words from the three youngsters who have benefited from the work of Boole House, we pointed out that if people pledged to donate £1,000 that was the equivalent of a medium latte from a coffee house every day of the year.
“That clearly struck a chord and the response really was quite staggering. It is not easy for young people to stand in front of a crowd, but especially to talk about very difficult experiences, and their words moved everyone who was at the event.
“There is a very serious side to the NSPCC Ball but we also make sure that we put on a very fun-filled event, and this year was no exception.
“People totally entered into the spirit of the occasion and the Mad Hatter theme, and it really went with a swing.” There was also a surprise performance from Coventrian Anna Patalong – who has sung with the English National Opera – and her husband Benedict Nelson. Joe Elliott MBE, a member of the Business Board, added: “It was a marvellous night and praise should go to our events group, headed by Hamilton.
“It is a massive amount of work to stage an event like this, and I know Hamilton puts countless hours into the preparations, and then fronts the whole affair as well. His commitment is quite remarkable.”