Thank you so much to everyone who joined us last night for the 5th annual Children’s Respite Trust Ball – the Diamond Masquerade. Nearly 500 guests all looked amazing, dressed to the nines in masks, suits and gowns and helped to make 2016 Masquerade Ball the best yet!
Compered by Heart FM’s Lynsey Bartlett, the night was full of surprises: Stilt walkers, aerial artists, magicians, singers and all finished off with ten piece band “The Big Kahuna”.
Our traditional Balloon Raffle saw the room filled with over 1,000 Balloons, before the Trust’s Patron, Jayne Torvill, gave the cue for everyone to get bursting and find out who had won, the £1,000 diamond necklace generously donated by W Bruford Jewellers.
A massive congratulations is in order to a newly engaged couple. Inspired by the diamond theme, aerial artist from Acting Moon Events, Renato Pires, completed his act before bringing out a diamond ring of his own to pop the question to girlfriend Stacey, who duly said yes to rapturous applause.
We are so grateful to the families who let us share their stories on the night through a video – Sophie, Samuel & Jemima the real stars of the show! It prompted guests to pledge a further £2,000 towards the work of the Charity.
Our Casino Royale provided by Parlour Gaming, was a hit with an Aston Martin DB5 for the evening provided by Huw Page and the Sporting Bears. The winner of that picked up a fantastic BMW Z4 for the weekend, which was kindly donated by Adam Hamill and Chandlers BMW of Hailsham.
One of the highlights of the night is always the live auction, which this year included:
Joe Marler’s England rugby shirt, which he wore against Italy – kindly donated by RSE Group, A Dinner Party at your home – kindly donated by Food for Comfort, A night out at the Theatre in London with dinner and a transfers – kindly donated by Glenn Snowden and Club Class Chauffeurs, A Jewellery-making experience – kindly donated by Mike Shorer, a week’s stay at a 5 star resort near Disneyland Paris and a week’s stay at a 5 star luxury hotel in Las Vegas – both kindly donated by 6 Steps Ltd.
A massive thanks once again goes to all of our sponsors:
6 Steps Ltd, Lawler Davis Financial Planners, Dawson Hart Solicitors, CBL Services, Teamworx, Aspray, RSE Group, Kreston Reeves, Clearwater Safety Solutions, Handelsbanken, The Dental Barn, Switchplane, Horlock Holdcroft, W. Bruford Jewellers, McCarthy Webb Solicitors, Chapter 12 Wine Bar, Colvin Cleaning Group, Parker Building Supplies, Watsons Associates, Dobbs Logistics, LM Productions, Beautiful Design & Print and West End Studios.
We’re very grateful to everyone who has donated a raffle prize including: W Bruford, Lydd Airport, Brighton Pavilion, The Grand Hotel and the Lansdowne Hotel in Eastbourne, The Rembrandt Hotel in Knightsbridge, Buxted Park Hotel, Mike Shorer Historic Jewellery, Delta Force, Dan Gales, Willingdon Golf Club, Go Ape, Yes Promo Products, Music Hall, Goodwood Races, Cru Bar, Fizz on Foot, Harry Potter Studios, Gold Arts, Flowers of Eastbourne, Jasmine’s Beauty, JJ Cleaning Serenity Room, Pannarai Therapy, Sussex Beds, Saints, Mary Kay Make-up, Eastbourne Borough Football Club, Teamworx, Oast to Host and Chatsfield Jewellers,
The entertainment was fantastic from Debonair Dancers, Ultra Swing, Nina Bromham, Acting Moon, and The Big Kahuna.
Thank you to our hosts, The Winter Garden, who provided a sumptuous feast for everyone. NX Photos gave everyone the chance to get a portrait of themselves and their friends in their finery, which can be viewed online at http://www.nxphoto.co.uk/clients. Balloons for events kindly arranged the balloon raffle, ably assisted by so many generous volunteers.
Our sincere thanks go to everyone who helped in person from all of those people blowing up balloons and decorating the venue during the day (and packing up afterwards) through to those helping to sell raffle tickets, collect pledge cards and assist with the auction. Our thanks go to our wonderful auctioneers Con & Andy as well as Kate our Treasurer for the evening.
We must mention our amazing Committee: Mandy Brook, Andy & Loreen Camfield, Holly Costello, Simon Groves, Vicky Regan, Maxine Reid and Paul Roskilly.
And thank you once again to everyone who came along.
We look forward to bringing you the official photos and video soon.