Charity Diary

Annual Ball - Crawley Ridge Infant School Association

May 2008

On the 3rd May this year Crawley Ridge Infant School Association (CRISA) held a charity fundraising event at the Frimley Hall Hotel. The school PTA (CRISA) holds an annual ball, proceeds from which are divided between the school and a nominated charity. This year the BSG was their nominated charity as one of the pupils at the school has a Port Wine Stain birthmark and has been undergoing laser treatment this year. Her mother is a BSG member and also an active supporter of CRISA.

As is always the case, CRISA were keen to have a representative from their nominated charity attend the event as their guest and Stanford Jeffrey (a BSG member with a port wine stain) very kindly offered to represent our cause and say a few words. He will, apparently, do almost anything if it involves a free meal!

Funds are raised for the event not only through ticket sales but also from an auction that takes place on the night. Naturally, there are many other manner of ruses employed to encourage people to give generously, with the sale of raffle tickets being just one such example.

The event room and tables at the hotel were decorated by a team of ladies from CRISA and the effect was both stylish and impressive. The auction items were varied in the extreme, ranging from a day's accompanied fly fishing through to an exclusive visit to the air traffic control tower at one of London's prestige airports.

The event was very well supported by a host of dedicated and committed parents, supporters and friends of CRISA and the entertainment, which included a live band, was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. In fundraising terms, the highlight of the evening was the auction, most ably ‘called' by Ken Presland, a former Army Regimental Sergeant Major and not a man to trifle with!

Just prior to the auction those attending were reminded of the BSG element of their charitable provenance for this event. Stanford took the opportunity to briefly outline the incidence of birthmarks amongst the general population as well as to highlight the lack of research and accurate information available to medical specialists in particular. Not surprisingly, mention was made of the new BSG DVD being distributed to schools, GP practices and other medical specialists and the very valuable contribution that CRISA funds would make towards the ever increasing campaign of awareness that has now begun in these key areas.

All present were warmly thanked by Stanford for their very kind support and their most generous donations towards BSG and its ongoing work. The ball was obviously a social success but encouragingly, a fundraising success too, generating a total of £2000, of which £1000 has subsequently been donated to BSG. We owe a very special thanks to Samantha Doyle. Thank you Samantha. Well done CRISA! Many, many thanks!!!!!