Features

Richie Rhodes (right) celebrates with stars Pete (left) and Jimmy Page (center) after winning the 2 framed ‘The Who’ promo posters, signed by Roger Daltrey.

Pete (left) presents Joe Q with his wining
‘Signed Arsenal Football Shirt’ from the auction.

Capt. Steve Ponter (right) “strikes” a pose with the Jesters M.C. shirts signed by ‘Deep Purple’, which he won in the auction.

Michael J. S. Lim loves the ‘Royal Trophy Golf Memorabilia’
collections he won in the auction.

Philip Culerywara with his ‘Argentina No.10
Football Shirt signed by Diego Maradona’.

Jimmy Page (right) personally presents his own
signed Jesters’ black T-shirt to high bidder Geoff Evans (left).

Woody (left) presents the NHL Calgary Flames Jersey
signed by Lanny McDonald to the auction high bidder Sweet Lou.

Ben Burgess from Glencore entered the highest bid for the JCD 2009 T-shirt signed by the Ladies of the LPGA Tour 2010, presented here by auction assistant Ronny.

Ronny (left) and Peter (right) present the happy as a star Sean McCoy his auction bid winning American football signed by legendary quarterback Brett Favre.

All smiles as the Jesters Party Night 2010 proves to be a ‘Remarkable Evolution’.

The grand finale for the 13th Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive, or our Party Night, was staged last Saturday, September 18 at the Jameson’s Irish Pub in central Pattaya.

Just prior to the 6 p.m. start, Jameson’s’ landlord and Care for Kids committee member, Kim Fletcher, had a swagger of confidence about him that had some of us, who had arrived early, a little bemused considering the current economic hard times. However, these were ‘old shoes’ for Kim, as he had played a pivotal part in the very first effort when he banded together with the Jesters Motorcycle Club members and other like-minded expats from our local community exactly 13 years to the night back in 1998.

Lewis Woody Underwood, Jesters Care for Kids charity chairman gives a warm welcoming speech.

At 6:30 p.m. in true ‘Jesters style’ Kevin Mitch and the main team of riders from the Jesters MC arrived on their gleaming Harley Davidson motorcycles to formally get the party started on what would turn out to be one of the most extraordinary Jesters Party Night yet.

Chairman Lewis ‘Woody’ Underwood’s welcoming speech touched on the humble beginnings of the Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive which was initiated at the (then) Delaney’s Irish Pub on 2nd Road and its evolution to Jameson’s where the Party Night has been played out since 2005. He continued to mention the likewise humble beginnings of the Charity Drive’s very first beneficiary, the Fountain of Life Children’s Center, which was then struggling to survive in a rundown shop house in North Pattaya just behind Beach Road where the Holiday Inn stands today.

Woody continued with a few poignant facts regarding how “our beneficiaries have grown with us,” where today at the Fountain of Life Children’s Center the kids are encouraged to bring with them a symbolic 3 baht per day. One baht goes towards the cost of their lunch, 1 baht is donated to help those that are even less fortunate than they are, and another baht goes into a savings fund upon which they might one day withdraw or borrow against. This is intended to instill financial education and disciplines that might ensure a closure to their ‘poverty cycle’.

Woody alluded that even as this city has experienced a ‘remarkable evolution’ over the past 13 years, so has the Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive, which now has a scope of 40 children’s beneficiaries as well as ‘special or emergency’ cases from time to time.

In wrapping up, Woody acknowledged the absolutely vital support from all our sponsors, including four Diamond Sponsors (400,000 baht donors) Glencore International Indonesia, Herrod Foundation Switzerland, Devil Creek Development Project Australia, and the Canadian Jackalope Open Thailand, plus 19 Platinums (100,000 baht donors), 14 Golds (50,000 baht donors), 28 Silvers (25,000 baht donors), 37 Bronzes (10,000 baht) and 32 Pledges (less than 9999 baht donors), a total of 134 corporate and individual sponsors.

Woody also gave recognition to the VIPs in attendance on the night, which included 3 times Diamond Ben Burgess from Glencore International and Wayne Ogonoski from the Canadian Jackalope Open, as well as Platinums Michael J. S. Lim from Hyolim (3 years), Mike Koerner (6 years), Graham Macdonald (9 years), Tony Malhotra from Pattaya Mail (9 years) and Club Nevada (7 years) and, of course, our host, Jameson’s (5 years).

Woody wrapped up his speech by acknowledging the vital, hard-working organizing committee, comprised of both Honorary Jesters and MC members who contribute their essential skills, management, expertise and their time free of charge, to make the fund raising effort of ‘Care for Kids’ the success that it has been for the past 13 years.

Then it was over to the evening’s expert Auctioneer Bob Philp supported by emcees Paul Strachan from PMTV and Russell Jay from Mix 88.5 FM, with Ronny and Pete displaying the auction lots during the evening which featured the Jesters Party Night Auction and Grand Raffle.

The Auction got into full swing and the party night was soon buzzing with enthusiastic bidding. Somewhere during the 2nd set of items, Jimmy Page (world famous lead guitarist from Led Zeppelin) walked in and joined the Jesters table after graciously posing for photographs and entertaining more than just a few welcoming handshakes and cheers from the crowd.

Jimmy Page (center) joins Poodle Pete (left) and Woody (right) in conducting the Grand Raffle.

As it would happen, the next auction item up on stage was the 2 framed ‘The Who’ Promo Posters, both signed by Roger Daltrey; and so Jimmy added an extraordinary incentive to bidders to ‘up the ante’ by agreeing to personally sign one of the items as well, making it a truly remarkable unique collector’s item.

Jesters’ Ritchie Rhodes was the winning bidder with the evening’s 2nd highest total of the night of 35,000 baht and the evening was buzzing from then on. Jimmy Page had indeed signed a Jesters T-Shirt which was the next item up for bid; however, the opportunity to be photographed with it and have the item personalized by the legendary rock guitarist sent bidding up to a truly remarkable 15,000 baht. Geoff Evans was the lucky winning bidder for that.

What? Did I just bid that high? Do you accept a cheque, says Joe Q to Linden Phanpho.

Jimmy remained with us for the rest of the evening and even assisted by drawing the main winning grand raffle prizes and chatting with those who wished to do so throughout the night.

By the end of the evening’s action, auctioneer Bob Philp had successfully sold a remarkable 54 individual lots, the highest single item being the Manchester United Football Club Centenary Framed Collage & Certificate of Authenticity claimed by Jesters Committee member John Hoffman for B37,000, all before 11:30 p.m., for a grand total of B469,400.

Bob’s task was made so much easier thanks to the many months of committed organization, experience and expertise from Kim Fletcher, Deborah Philbrook, Ron Keeley and their administration team of Karyn Walker, Linden Phanpho and Pornthip (Moo) Luanoi.

The final formality for the evening was to draw the Grand Raffle prize winners. The winning ticket of the Honda Scoopy-i Motorcycle package was drawn by Jimmy Page and Warawity from Chevron was the lucky winner with ticket # 14881. That brought the preliminary gross earnings for this year’s Charity Drive to a remarkable B6,289,344.

In wrapping up, I would like to say Thank You on behalf of the 2010 Jesters Care for Kids’ Charity Drive Committee and Jesters MC. Please accept our sincere thanks to all the people that have supported the Jesters 2010 charity drive in every and any way this past year. Thank you to our media partners Pattaya Mail Media Group, Mix 88.5 FM, Pattaya Daily News, as well as our online supporters on Facebook (Care for Kids) and Thai media outlets now promoting our cause.

And a special individual Thank You to the 2010
Jesters Care Kids Committee individually:
Chairman                                       Lewis Underwood
Corporate Sponsorship/Airlines        Graham Macdonald
Corporate Sponsorship/Auction        Capt Steve Ponter
Pattaya Mail Media                         Peter Malhotra
Public Relation Coordinator             Tony Malhotra
Pattaya Mail Television Liaison        Paul Strachan
Fair Site Coordinator                       Bill Freeman
Asst Fair Site Coordinator               Kevin Mitch
Secretary/Advertising                      Deborah Philbrook
Party Nite Coordinator                     Kim Fletcher
Schools Coordinator                       Linden Phanpho
Assistant Schools Coordinator         Karyn Walker
Webmaster                                    David Smith
Projects Supervisor                         Bernie Tuppin
Event Wear                                    Alan Whiteway
Ad Hoc Directors                            John Hoffman
                                                    Judi McNamara
                                                     Jerry Stewart
Fair Comperes                                Russell Jay
                                                     Poodle Pete
Fair Photographers                         Peter Kraemer
                                                     Paul Shortino
                                                     Double AA staff
Fair Games Assistants                   Ed and Mara Cary
Party Night Compere                      Paul Strachan
Party Night Auctioneer                    Bob Philp

Successful auction bidders please note the items can be paid for and picked up at Jameson’s from Manager Moo after 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Grand Raffle winners can also be collected in the same manner on production of the winning ticket stubs and/or suitable identification.

The Jesters Party Night TV coverage will be aired on the three PMTV networks this week. Tune in and watch the Party Night unfold to what was a truly remarkable 13th Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive.

For further information on how you can help us help those children in our region that are ‘less fortunate’, visit our website at www.Care4Kids.info, and/or be our friend on Facebook at Care ForKids, or email us today on [email protected].

Upon arrival at the Jesters Care for Kids Party Night at Jameson’s, the Jesters M.C., led by President Kevin Mitch (left), presented a pennant to Landlord Kim Fletcher (2nd left) in appreciation for his support over the last decade.

Important people behind the scene (L to R) Jameson’s Moo,
Woody, Linden Phanpho and Karyn Walker.

Russell Jay Darrell (2nd left) and Jimmy Page (2nd right) interview some of the auction’s highest bidders: Geoff Evans (left), Graham (3rd right) and Richie Rhodes (right).

Jesters Party Night Grand Auction Items & Winners
       Item                                                                                                                      Winning Bid Bidder
1     WA Royal 7's 2010 Tour (Full) Kit - Socks, Shorts & Signed
       Shirt. Shirt signed by three socceroos on Tour                                                     1,500 Jaya Tanaporn
2     Signed CD Todd Rundgren “Arena”: Rundgren is an American musician            1,500 Kim Fletcher
3     Signed CD by band Tesla “Forever More”: A California band formed in the 80’s
4     Signed CD by Anvil “This is Thirteen” and T-shirt: Arguably regarded
       as the originals of heavy metal music                                                                    1,000 Woody
5     Signed book by Mick Wall “W. Axl Rose: The Unauthorized Biography”          1,500 Stuart Daly
6     Metallica Fan Club shirt from London O2 2008 Concert                                    5,000 Sam - Jesters
7     Commemorative T-shirt (50th Anniversary) from the famous rock n’ roll club,
      The Cavern, in Liverpool England                                                            2,500 John (JCD Committee)
8    Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2008 Signed Shirt,Signed Cricket Ball & Program 3,000 Chanita (Stuart        Daly)
9     Fantastic Jesters Care for Kids 2009 T-Shirt signed by Alan Shearer               10,000 Brian Clayton
10   CUB shirt signed by Allan Border Former Australian cricket captain     2,000 Ben Burgess (Glencore)
11   BMW Series Collection pictorial of the 7 series, a toy model of the 5 series,
       a toy model of Dixi 3                                                                                           3,500 Bill Haines
12   Rod Stewart signed UEFA Euro 2008 football. The football was signed
       during Rod's concert in Bangkok                                                                           10,000 Jimmy Lee
13   Royal Trophy 2010 shirt & cap signed by winning Euro Team               2,500 Ben Burgess (Glencore)
14   A pair of Jesters M.C Shirts signed by Deep Purple                                12,500 Capt. Steve Ponter
15   A pair of Football Shirts signed
       by English Football Legend Steve Coppell                                            15,000 John (JCD Committee)
16   Mario Andretti signed photo and baseball                                                                 1,200 Joe Q
17   Brett Favre signed football. Brett Favre is an all-star American football
       quarterback & movie star                                                                                     25,000 Sean McCoy
18   Peyton Manning signed football.Peyton Manning is an American football
       quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts                                                               17,000 Kim Fletcher
19   American Flag Tobacco blanket felt from circa 1910. Ideal for collectors                    5,000 Woody
20   Siam Flag Tobacco blanket felt from circa 1910. Ideal for collectors                            5,000 Woody
21   England (British) Flag Tobacco blanket felt from circa 1910                                  4,500 Stuart Daly
22   Great Britain Flag Tobacco blanket felt from circa 1910
23   Ireland Flag Tobacco blanket felt from circa 1910                                                          1,200 Joe Q
24   Timothy Lincecum signed Baseball                                                                                5,000 Woody
25   Jesters' T-shirt signed by Jimmy Page - A fantastic,
      Jimmy Page signed Jesters' black T-shirt with guitar-playing skeleton on back    15,000 Geoff Evans
26   US Open Commemorative Cap and Coin. A handsome commemorative cap
       and coin from this year's US Open at Pebble Beach                                              2,500 Lou
27   'Have Love Will Travel' CD signed by Jim Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.                 2,500 Sweet Lou
28   Ian Hunter's Man Overboard Signed CD. Man Overboard
        is Ian Hunter's 13th solo album                                                        5,000 Graham (Foster Wheeler)
29   Scorpions' Sting in the Tail Signed CD. After the release of this album             2,000 Brian P. Abbott
30   Three cricket bats signed by Sir Richard Hadlee
      and the Under 19’s South African World Cup team                               3,000 Ben Burgess (Glencore)
31   2 Framed Promo Photos, The Who and Roger Daltrey
       on the Cover of the People Magazine                                                           12,000 Paul Davis
32   2 Framed 'The Who' Promo Posters, both signed by Roger Daltrey            35,000 Richie Rhodes
33   2009 Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive T-shirt signed
       by the Ladies of the LPGA Tour 2010                                               13,000 Ben Burgess (Glencore)
34   The Stephen Leather Collection of Books signed
       by the man himself on every one                                                         10,000 Neil Sandelands
35   Royal Trophy Golf Memorabilia                                                         7,000 Michael J. S. Lim
36   Beautiful Wood Console Table from Goodwood Antique Furniture          6,500 Bryan B. Playton
37   Argentina No.10 Football Shirt signed by Diego Maradona                     25,000 Philip Culerywara
38   A selection of very cool Rock 'n' Roll T-shirts. Including Metal Xmas
       with the CD included                                                                          2,500 John (JCD Committee)
39   Jason Orange's Framed Gold Disc (CD) of Take That's 1995 Album 'Nobody Else'.
       Jason Orange is a member of the pop-rock band Take That                                 6,000 Stuart Daly
40   Manchester United Football Club Centenary Framed Collage & Certificate
       of Authenticity Celebrating 100 Years                                                37,000 John (JCD Committee)
41   Signed Arsenal Football. Arsenal have set many records
       in English football                                                                             11,000 Graham (Foster Wheeler)
42   A fully signed Queensland Richo's Cricket Shirt. Signed cricket shirt from
       the Queensland Richo's Thailand Tour in August 2010                                              1,500 Joe Q
43   It Might Get Loud DVD signed by Jimmy Page'.
     “It Might Get Loud” is a extraordinary documentary about the electric
     guitar from the perspective of three generations of virtuosos            15,000 Graham (Foster Wheeler)
44   Eels CD 'End Times' and Mark Everett (E) Biography
     'Things the Grandchildren Should Know', both signed by Mark Everett                      3,000 Woody
45   Bachman & Turner's 'Forged in Rock' CD signed by Randy Bacjman.
     Bachman–Turner Overdrive were a Canadian rock group from Winnipeg           6,000 Alan Augustine
46   Joe Elliott's Down 'n' Outz' My ReGeneration Signed CD. The DOWN 'N OUTZ
      supported MOTT THE HOOPLE at one
      of their legendary 2009 reformation shows                                                       1,000 Colin Mottman
47   Antique Burmese Tattoo Needles mounted and framed. In Burma / Myanmar the tattoo
       is done to gain powers, good luck, ward off evil or simply as decoration.           9,000 Anja School
48   Framed Aung San Suu Kyi Painting by Burmese artist Saw Chu Cil                           27,500 J. Kai
49   Framed Fleeing Burmese Refugees Painting by Burmese artist Saw Chu Cil         13,000 Sweet Lou
50   NHL Calgary Flames Jersey signed by Lanny McDonald                                      12,000 Sweet Lou
51   Framed National Rugby League Warriors Shirt signed by the 2010 team        25,000 Linoa Hepburn
52   Rugby Football Union Referee Shirt. A great and rare item for Rugby Union fans          5,000 Owen
53   Signed Arsenal Football Shirt by 2010/11 Season Team.
      Arsenal is one of the most successful clubs in English football,
      winning 13 1st Div and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups                                      5,000 Joe Q
54   Jean Marc Louis Painting                                                                                 8,000 Neil Sandelands
55   Hotel Rachamankha Chaingmai 2 Nights                                           8,000 Last minute Cash Donor