A glamorous fundraising event held at Farnham Castle on Friday 26 November raised more than £11,000 for two Surrey-based charities.
'A Winter's Ball' was a joint fundraiser for Surrey Community Development Trust and the Surrey Care Trust. The event, which included dinner, dancing and a charity raffle and auction, had been sold out for over two months.
The evening was hosted by songwriter and musician Richard Stilgoe, who is a patron of both charities. He gave an inspirational insight into the work of the two organisations:
"The Surrey Care Trust and Surrey Community Development Trust are both extremely close to my heart. As a patron of both charities and former President of Surrey Care Trust, I have seen firsthand how their work really does change lives. Fundraising over the last few years has been difficult for everyone and to hold a ‘sell-out’ event like this is such a boost for these two important charities. I would like to thank everyone who supported this tremendous event."
The guests at the historic venue included the High Sheriff of Surrey - Mr Rob Douglas, the Mayor and Mayoress of Woking - Cllr Mohammed Iqbal and Mrs Shahnaz Iqbal, the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Guildford – Cllr Terence Patrick and Mrs Angela Patrick, and trustees, supporters and friends of the two charities.
Surrey Community Development Trust is a Leatherhead-based charity that provides housing and support services to 1,000 people each year, to help them improve their lives. The Surrey Care Trust is an independent charity reaching out to people and helping them to transform their life chances by providing a second chance of education and opportunities to learn new skills. Both charities work at various locations in Surrey and neighbouring counties.
