February 3, 2012

Launch Party an outstanding success!!



The RLSF Launch Party, held on the 28th January 2012 at The Royal Guernsey Golf Club, was an outstanding success with the fundraising on the night realising a substantial sum, far in excess of predictions.

122 guests helped celebrate the launch of the RLSF at this black tie event which commenced with a champagne reception served by our two glamorous showgirls, Rhianna King and Jessica Ellison. This was followed by a delicious three course dinner served up by Head Chef Kelvin, Restaurant Manager Adrian and their team in the restaurant.

Appropriately enough, the event fell on Burns Night, as Mr Dennis Burns was our multi-talented compere/auctioneer/singer who did a wonderful job of keeping all our guests entertained throughout the evening.

During dinner guests had the chance to bid for a number of items in a Silent Auction including a case of 1982 Chateau Beychevelle and a bottle of 1962 Chateau Canon St. Emilion generously donated by Mrs Maggie Best. Prizes also included a Pampering Overnight Stay at Hotel Fleur du Jardin kindly donated by Ian & Amanda Walker and The Lavender Rooms and lunch for four people on board the 5* star Crystal Symphony generously donated by Crystal Cruises in conjunction with Jamie Blondel at Wayfarers Travel.

Following a fabulous set from guest jazz vocalist Maggie Reeday, Dennis commenced the Live Auction which included some marvellous prizes, including two fortnight holidays at the Asia Spirit Lodge & Spa, Koh Samui generously donated by Liberation Management Limited and executive seats at Old Trafford with flights and accommodation at The Lowry Hotel kindly donated by Sidney Charles Financial Services Limited and Aurigny. Further prizes included a flight by private aeroplane to Deauville generously donated by Efrem & Gaynor Cockett and a custom fitted set of Callaway irons kindly donated by Stephen Rolley, a long standing friend of Ray & Maggie Lowe, who flew over fom England to join us for the event.

Dennis and his five piece band then concluded the evening’s entertainment with songs from The Great American Songbook. Many guests took to the dancefloor rounding off the night in fine style with a unique rendition of ‘New York, New York’!! Fundraising on the night totalled £13, 715, exceeding all expectations, which will now enable the Foundation to help support young Guernsey people participating in sport. Many thanks must go to the sponsors and bidders for their overwhelming generosity, along with the organisers and all our guests for attending this function and helping us achieve this amazing result.