15th Red Balloon Anniversary Ball raises £24,000

Red Balloon celebrated its 15th anniversary in style at Childerley Hall, near Cambridge, on 10th September 2011.  Guests arrived on a warm autumn evening to be guided by local Air Cadets to the wonderful gardens for a champagne reception, very generously sponsored by Aston Martin of Cambridge.  Apollo 5, the musical group which is currently working with Red Balloon students, entertained guests, followed by former Red Balloon student Jennifer Green, whose two songs were enthusiastically applauded.

A sumptuous three-course dinner was provided by Pabulum, at no cost to Red Balloon.  As the dinner was held in one of the longest timber-framed tithe barns in England, Pabulum faced the added challenge of serving 270 guests from a “field kitchen” set up at the back of the barn.

After the main course Red Balloon Founder and Chief Executive Dr Carrie Herbert thanked all the main sponsors: Pabulum, Aston Martin and Mrs Jenkins of Childerley Hall, for their very generous support.  After dinner, Tim Ingles of Sothebys auctioned a wide range of lots for a total of £7,800.

The local band ‘78RPM’ then filled the barn with well-known ‘Swing’ tunes and most guests took to the floor.

Commenting on the event Jane Woodford, Joint Chair of the Ball Committee, said:  “This event would not have been possible without the many dedicated hours of planning, enthusiasm and patience of the organising committee namely: Louise Janssen, Denise Rivers, Rosalind Meese and Ann Taylor, to whom I would like to say a very big thank you.

"To those organisations which supported the Ball “thank you” seems inadequate.  Your fantastic support, combined with our many guests on the evening helped us to raise the magnificent sum of £24,000.   Thank you!”

 

-- Posted by Red Balloon - on 21st October 2011 --