TFI organizing committee:
Matt O’Sullivan, Joe Cox, Earl Brown, Paul Strachan and Nigel Quennell.
Paul Strachan
TFI (Thai Farang Initiative) has been set up by a few like minded people
working in Pattaya to create fun and exciting events for charity.
The first event was an 80’s nite held on the August 31 at the Access Inn on
Pattaya 3rd Rd. An attractive entry fee of only 400 baht included two and a
half hours free flow beer, cider and wine, coupled with the music from the
80s played by Brooksy from 105fm.
Over 100 tickets were sold in advance and at least the same amount more
turned up on the night with cash in hand, many of them getting into the
spirit of things by dressing in the style of 30 years ago.
The whole vibe of the evening was one of fun and the TFI team had designed
and created a special backdrop for the event in front of which was the
classic game of Twister, which proved to be a popular idea and one that
became increasingly challenging as the night wore on.
Twister - a game for making new
acquaintances.
A short auction was held regarding the playing of the
song “Agadoo” by Black Lace. One of the TFI team had pledged 1000 baht for
the song NOT to be played; then someone added another 1000 on top to get it
on the turntable. The race went on and soon over 26,000 baht was pledged …
and the final bidder was in favor of the song being played and despite its
cringe worthy lyrics and melody everybody was singing along to it, with some
even remembering the accompanying dance moves.
The organizers felt it appropriate to continue the free flow for an
additional hour, so the party continued to the sounds of Dexy’s Midnight
Runners, Guns & Roses, Bad Manners, Blondie etc, with prize give-aways of
80s themed T shirts, Rubix Cubes and other parafinalia.
After expenses were deducted, over 150,000 baht was raised for charity on
the night, an amount which will not only change the lives of two children
born with facial deformities, via the help of Operation Smile, but also
improve the living conditions of 40 local families as TFI pledged 20 clean
water filtration systems, an offer that was generously matched by The Rotary
Club of Eastern Seaboard.
A member of the TFI team also noticed an appeal in the Pattaya Mail
regarding an orphanage in Mae Sot which urgently needed assistance. After a
quick online meeting the team were unanimous in their decision to donate
10,000 baht, which will be used for buying essentials and this will be
actioned by Margie Grainger from the Hand to Hand Foundation.
Too young to know any better,
these girls have all the moves for “Agadoo”.
Funds will also be used to help local slums with the help
of William Macey from the Pattaya Sports Club and an emergency fund has been
set up to deal with cases that arise concerning children and families that
need urgent assistance.
All of this was made possible with the help of a dedicated team made up of
Matt O’Sullivan, Joe Cox, Earl Brown, Paul Strachan and Nigel Quennell, who
have given up their free time to organize not only the events but also
register a company with a corresponding bank account so that all invoices &
receipts can be legitimized. With a commitment to transparency, all company
accounts will be posted on the TFI facebook page and website.
The sponsors for the inaugural event were Trade Frames, The Booze Lounge,
Real Estate Magazine, Go Rent Pattaya, CSP Construction, The Cube, Pattaya
Property Auctions, CEA Projects, and in kind or trade sponsorship by Thai
Business Help, Apple Cider Company, AKA Traders and the venue itself The
Access Inn.
A party crowd of over 200
attended the first TFI event at the Access Inn.
Special thanks also to Brooksy from 105FM, Dave from the
Sportsman for providing all the ice and ice boxes, Alan Richardson from
Jigsaw2order.com for the donation of 80’s themed jigsaws, and also to Bella
from the Access Inn for being the point of contact.
But most of all, thanks goes to the people who attended and got into the
spirit of this amazing event.
TFI will return with different events at different locations in the near
future, you can find them online at: www.facebook.com/funcharityevents and
on their website: http:// tfi-events.com/
(Note: All photos provided courtesy of Chaianan @ CPM Photography & Design).
