The Master reaches Charity Goal

This year’s Charity Banquet was held in the famous Long Room at Lord’s Cricket Ground on 19th September, with Mark Ramprakash as our Guest of Honour.

At the Banquet the Master, Michael Parrett was able to announce, with a little help for an auction of a final bottle of Champagne, that, with the amounts raised during the year and the proceeds of the Banquet, he had reached his goal of raising £50,000 for Charity during his year as Master.  Since the Master, Michael Parrett first took over chairing Fundraising for the Company, we have raised some £250,000 for charity (including this year’s £50,000) – a splendid achievement and very much in line with the aims and objectives of the Livery.

The Gala Banquet was fully attended and enjoyed by both individual members of the Company, their guests, and several corporate sponsors.  We enjoyed a sumptuous meal, courtesy of the catering staff at Lord’s.  The raffles raised over £4,000, whilst the Auctions raised over £13,000 – a not insignificant contribution to the Master’s ambitious goal.

The evening was skilfully managed by our Beadle, Ted Prior, who not only acted as Master of Ceremonies but also Auctioneer, and the whole proceedings were master-minded by our Gallant Clerk, Kim Tyrrell and Femi Santos, the Chair of the Sponsorship Committee.

We have already donated £10,000 each to Clic Sargent, the children’s cancer charity, and the Sheriff’s and Recorder’s fund for their construction centric activities and the Master is in discussion with the Charitable Trust as to how the remaining monies could be used to further the Company’s charitable aims.

The event at Lord’s was originally conceived by the Master, supported by Past Master, and MCC Member, Martin Wade, and the pictures below show the Master and Mistress in the Long Room at Lord’s and the Master with our Guest of Honour – cricketing legend and Strictly Come Dancing Champion, Mark Ramprakash.

The Master and Mistress in the Long Room

The Master with Mr Mark Ramprakash