Newtrade utilised our event management experience for their IAA gala dinner

Newtrade contracted the organisation of its prestigious IAA Gala Dinner to Sweet Charity’s events team. Simon Woodroffe (Founder of Yo! Sushi and former Dragon) hosted the night which saw 300 guests, including some of the country’s top retailers gather together to celebrate each other’s achievement.  This was a real win-win, as the fee Newtrade paid the charity, will enable us to help more people from our industry, including independent retailers. If you require any assistance with your events, press launches, awards or conferences, get in touch with Sarah or Rachael  and click here for more pictures of the night (password is 'ceinwen')



Mars volunteers pack hampers to spread festive cheer

Like elves busy in Santa’s grotto, over 167 Mars associates (95 of which were volunteering for the first time) helped to pack 1400 Christmas hampers to go out to our beneficiaries, spreading a little joy to people who may not get many presents this year or who may be feeling isolated and lonely during the festive season.  By taking on the project mars have helped us to save over £30,000. The hampers were crammed full of goodies including the all-important Christmas pudding, a selection box and a tin of shortbread as well as some savoury treats too. Sweet Charity is very appreciative to Mars and all its volunteers for taking on the hamper project and giving us their time and energy. Thanks also goes to all the companies who provided such high quality product to fill the hampers with and Sweet Charity’s head office has already been flooded with letters and phone calls from people who are thrilled to have received a hamper. One lady writes:  ‘Best hamper ever. Thank you so much Sweet Charity and Mars, it means such a lot to me’



Northern Ireland Candy Ball celebrate 75th anniversary in style!

NI SWEET CHARITY 75^TH ANNUAL CANDY BALL 07^TH OCT 2011

The hard work had all been completed just in time. At 6.05pm on the evening of 7^th Oct, the NI Area Sweet Charity Committee dashed off nervously to get ready for the biggest night to date, ‘The 75^TH Annual NI Candy Ball’. They needn’t have been nervous for the evening was destined to go without a hitch!

250 guests were greeted by jugglers, stilt walkers and a jazz band, they sipped on Chambulls and nibbled on Quality Street as coincidently, Quality Street was also celebrating a 75^th Birthday and there was a magnificent set of cakes in honour of us both! Mr Patrick Davis arrived suitably attired in a 75^th Bow Tie and the revelry began.

There was much to celebrate as our Hon. Secretary Mrs Lina Graham and our Hon. Treasurer Mr Lewis Noble were applauded for having served on the committee for more than 90 years between them!

Our evening was smoothly navigated by Mr Graham Walker and our guests were entertained further by the Ulster Operatic Society, they feasted on a fine meal and then clapped enthusiastically to the Royal Tara Dancers. The Grand Draw and the Tombola was a highlight to all who won! Energy was still in abundant supply as the dance floor filled to the sounds of the HOUSEM8’s and continued until the wee small hours, the sign that a great night was had by all was surely evident as we couldn’t get people to go home!

A big thank you to all our Sponsors and to all who helped make our night a fantastic success. We are proud to say that our projected profit is in excess of £24,000 for Sweet Charity.

We are looking forward to next year already!

Grace Bosket

Chairman

NI Area Committee



Curry on Laughing gets the last laugh and sells out!

Palmer and Harvey's very first curry and comedy night went down a storm last Thursday evening as 400 office staff and suppliers joined to raise money for Sweet Charity. 

 Alfie Moore played our host for the evening and kicked off the night regaling us with jokes and snippets about his home town of Scunthorpe before letting the guests loose on the delicious Indian buffet that was tempting everyone on the tables. Once the meal had taken place (think lamb rogan josh, vegetable korma and garlic naans) comdian Seann Walsh (of Mock the Week and 8 out of 10 cats fame) took to the stage and got the audience thoroughly warmed up for the final act.

The prestigious raffle gave an extra edge of excitement to the evening (many waited with baited breath to see if any of the top prizes were theirs) and lots of fantastic prizes were handed out including an iPad donated by Mars/Wrigley, a Nintendo Wii from Ferrero, with Palmer and Harvey donating a luxury trip to Paris prize along with plenty of others, they were not to be sniffed at!

Ventriloquist and comedienne Nina Conti was the final act and she wasn’t alone! Puppets  ‘Monkey’ and ‘Granny’ came out of her travel bag and entertained the crowd and ‘Granny’ even had some audience participation with an obliging (and very brave) gentleman picked from the audience. Nina’s comedy timing and ventriloquist skills ensured the night finished on a high.

A massive THANK YOU to the team at Palmer and Harvey who organised this amazing event and for everyone who supported it by attending, sponsoring or donating raffle prizes. It was a fantastic evening and one surely to be repeated!

Sweet Charity takes action in light of UK riots

Mr S was referred to us from the local council’s victim support helpline, following the riots. He runs a convenience store that has been part of his local community for 20 years.

On Tuesday 9th August his business was completely destroyed by rioters. All his stock was taken, as well as other equipment, and his freezer damaged. His insurance will cover £25,000 of his loss, but the loss adjuster has estimated the damage to be £90,000 and the insurance company had estimated the claim will take 3 months to settle. Unless he could get immediate help he would be unable to trade nor support his family of 6 children.

Despite publicity in the national press, and a visit from Prince Harry, Sweet Charity was the first organisation to offer him money. A cheque for a new freezer and replacement of stock was with him within days. In addition to this we have persuaded 2 large confectionery manufacturers to restock his shop to help him get up and running as soon as possible. We have also referred him to another charity who has also pledged their support.