Summer stylin' with the LTC
A great evening of dinner and dancing helps another year of essential work
After the success of last year's Paper Ball, the team at the Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) had their work cut out trying to impress the guests at this year's event. Needless to say, they exceeded
expectations once again with a superb
Summer Breeze Ball.
The evening was tremendous. Thanks to the support of the major sponsors - SG Hambros Private Bank, Anglo Irish Bank and the Morning Advertiser, it was a night that would be hard to forget. The Summer Breeze Ball is the biggest fundraising event in the LTC's calendar and helps to raise vital funds for the charity.
Through the generosity of companies who pledged their support and bought tables at the Summer Breeze Ball, those who donated raffle and auction prizes, and those who dug deep in their pockets at the event, more than £40,000 was raised on the evening.
Class cocktails
Held at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in London, guests at the Ball were treated to a cocktail, Vanilla Sky, devised especially for the
reception at the Summer Breeze Ball.
Vanilla Sky was created and served by Tom Vernon, from the Trio Bar & Grill in Leeds, who won a cocktail competition run in conjunction with Class magazine, a sister publication of the MA, and United Brands who sponsored the competition. After the reception, guests adjourned to the Adelphi Suite for a sumptuous meal.
Once the guests had polished off the delicious dinner, the fun really began. Dancing and merriment were the order of the evening, with lively bands Funk Factor and VIP playing their socks off to make sure that everybody was tearing up the dance floor.
LTC appeals chairman Maureen Batty said: "The evening was fantastic and everyone had a great night. We are very grateful for the support from companies, organisations and individuals who came to the Summer Breeze Ball, and we hope they had an enjoyable evening."
Five-star fundraising
"While the ball does have a celebratory feel, everyone who attends is aware that it is a fund-raising event, the most important event in
our calendar.
"It helps us to continue the essential work in assisting those who call on the LTC in times of difficulty. More people are calling on the LTC for assistance than ever before and we have seen a 35% increase in people contacting us in the first quarter of 2007."
The LTC Welfare Department takes hundreds of calls every year, providing information on essential issues such as housing, debt and state benefits. They also provide financial help, either on a regular or one-off basis.
Every year, the LTC gives out about £1m in grants which includes paying for essentials such as utility bills or visits to hospital;
to help in emergencies to stop people from losing their homes or going under altogether; to pay for urgently-needed equipment such as wheelchairs, or to contribute to major
expenses that help improve the quality of life for people who are seriously ill, disabled
or elderly.
The support of the companies at the Summer Breeze Ball allows the LTC to help the people they do. The charity would like to extend its thanks to Brakes, Scottish & Newcastle, Tenon and Diageo GB for also sponsoring the Summer Breeze Ball.
