Tony Malhotra (right)
presents a bottle of Red Label to lucky draw
winner Thierry Doria.
Bernie Tuppin
On Saturday 24th September at the Amari Orchid
Pattaya, the Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive Committee organized
their inaugural Gala Party Night. This event was planned to replace the
Pub Night and cut back on the charity auction marathon of previous
years.
The evening proved to be an outstanding success and
is sure to become a permanent fixture on Pattaya’s social calendar. The
plan for the evening was to make sure that everyone was well-fed,
well-entertained with complimentary beverages provided by World of Wine
to set a happy atmosphere.
The evening began with welcome drinks and snacks
sponsored by the Amari and when the guests entered the ballroom, the
entertainment started with a local popular violinist, Pookpick, who
played while guests were consuming the sumptuous international buffet
supplied by the Amari kitchen.
Gator said if he won the
motorcycle he would give it to his daughter.
She happily accepts.
Jimmy Sinatra was next on stage and with Phil, his
keyboard player, he sang a set of old favorites that had older members
reminiscing. With everyone in party mood the first part of the charity
auction got underway, our compere for the night Russell Jay introduced
Bob Philp, the auctioneer, who coerced and cajoled maximum bids for the
first group of items.
These included signed football shirts from FA teams,
paintings, furniture, snooker cues and apparel from world champion Jimmy
White and music CD’s DVD’s and memorabilia, donated and signed by famous
recording artists.
Most interest was displayed in the Jimmy Page
package, as the famous Led Zeppelin guitarist was in attendance to be
photographed with the successful bidders.
With the first part of the auction complete, the
entertainment continued courtesy of Danny Woody, who sang while the
auctioneer struggled to find his voice. Unfortunately, he could not and
the auction carried on with Mark Rogers in command.
Jesters Care for Kids
Charity Chairman Lewis “Woody” Underwood (left) rocks on with Led
Zeppelin lead guitarist Jimmy Page (right).
The auction terminated with spirited bidding on the
last item, another package of Led Zeppelin music and memorabilia
supplied by Jimmy Page and knocked down to perennial supporter Garfield
for B60,000.
After a short interlude, the drawing of the grand
raffle took place with the main prize, a Honda PCX Scooter valued at
B80,000, being drawn first, won by local expat Gator. This was followed
by the top ten prizes including car rental and holiday accommodation all
prizes supplied by generous sponsors.
There were far too many prizes to be drawn to curtail
the entertainment that was to come, so a full list was displayed on the
background screen as the Band of Smiles revved up for the evening’s
close.
A full list of prizewinners is published in this
issue, and at www.facebook.com/jesterscare.forkids. When possible,
individual winners will be contacted by phone.
At the end of a very successful evening approximately
B841,800 was raised.
Jimmy Page (right)
presents the mountain bike lucky draw prize to
Serge, whose brother won.
This was only possible by the dedication of Jesters
Chairman Woody Underwood and Vice Chairperson Debs Philbrook, and their
committee who put in countless hours planning, organizing and promoting
this event, as well as being on hand on the evening to ensure that all
went as planned.
To all of the generous sponsors who supported the
function a huge thank you; it would not be possible without them. To the
local celebrities who gave freely of their time and talents to ensure
the evening’s success, again thanks to you, Jesters Care for Kids can
continue providing a better life for needy children.
For more information on the Jesters Care for Kids
Charity Drive and ways you can help, again please visit our FB site
listed above.
More pictures on page 56
Band of Smiles performs at
the end of the evening.
Jimmy Sinatra sings a set of
old favorites that has older members reminiscing.
Danny Woody performs some
acoustic numbers during a break in the auction.
Bob Philp (back) expertly
conducts the auction.
Jimmy Page signs a CD cover
for the auction’s highest bidder.
Keyboardist Phil keeps the
party moving.
Garfield proudly receives his
package of Led Zeppelin music
and memorabilia from Jimmy Page.
Author Daniel Dorothy (left)
presents a copy of ‘Mango Rains’ his critically acclaimed bestseller to
Sweet Lou, the highest bidder. Dan is the Executive Editor of the
Pattaya Mail.
