Jester’s inaugural Gala Party Night an outstanding success

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.

Guitar legend Jimmy Page explains the contents of the Led Zeppelin auction item at the Jester’s Gala Party Night last weekend.  The inaugural event was deemed an outstanding success, raising well over 800,000 baht for the Jesters Care for Kids Charity drive.

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.

Tony Malhotra (right) presents a bottle of Red Label to lucky draw winner Thierry Doria.

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.

Gator said if he won the motorcycle he would give it to his daughter. She happily accepts.

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.

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.

Jesters Care for Kids Charity Chairman Lewis “Woody” Underwood (left) rocks on with Led Zeppelin lead guitarist Jimmy Page (right).

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.

Band of Smiles performs at the end of the evening.

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.

Correction

In my write-up for the Fair, published on Friday, September 16th in the Pattaya Mail, titled ‘Shining in the Rain’, I made a bonehead move when listing the few stallholders that stayed until the end and inadvertently omitted the ONLY 2 stallholders who insisted that they pay 1500 baht fees: The Party Shop <www.the-party-shop.com> and Sara and Katee’s Place. My sincere apologies for this oversight. LWU

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.

Keyboardist Phil keeps the party moving.

Jimmy Page signs a CD cover for the auction’s highest bidder.

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.

Garfield proudly receives his package of Led Zeppelin music and memorabilia from Jimmy Page.

Bob Philp (back) expertly conducts the auction.