Isle of Wight Youth Trust Gala Dinner
The Works Gala Dinner
Over 150 guests attended the Works annual gala dinner at The Royal Hotel held Friday 2nd December. The gala dinner, now in its third year, raised nearly £37,000 bringing the total raised by the event to just under £100,000. A four course dinner was prepared by Alan Staley and included a classic lobster thermidor, wild mushroom soufflé, tasting plate of Moor Farm pork and finished with a tangerine mousse gateau by head pastry chef Emily Harris.
Among the guest attending were Rob and Josie da Bank, Andrew Turner MP and Carole Dennett, High Sherriff Susan Sheldon. Rob da Bank is a patron of the Isle of Wight Youth Trust and as well as reserving a table, the Bestival also donated 4 VIP Bestival passes along with luxury yurt accommodation to this year’s auction.
The auction, usually conducted with fiery zeal by Graham Benson, was noticeably silent this year. Graham’s absence (surprisingly he can't be in two places at the same time) was commented on by several guests who clearly missed his passionate theatrics ‘Graham’s performance is a thing to behold,’ one guest commented ‘I do hope we see his return next year!’ The silent auction raised just over £16,000 and lots included ceramics by Sue Paraskeva, an afternoon swinging through the trees with Goodleaf Tree Climbing, a luxury ski holiday, a painting by Lisa Traxler even The Works project manager John Elford gave himself up as a windsurfing instructor!
‘I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of so many people and small businesses. The Works how provides a much needed service on the island. This is a massive achievement for the Isle of Wight Youth Trust but most importantly, the Works can now support young islanders endeavouring to lead a drug-free life.’ says William Bailey Managing Director of The Royal
This year Dr Sarah Bromley, trustee of the IWYT gave a speech in which she said that projects like the Works give hope and support to vulnerable young islanders.
‘Sometimes I think there is a tendency to believe that recovery from drug and alcohol misuse is an impossible dream, something we might wish for but is never going to be achieved. The challenge for us as a society is to allow people to recover, to get into work and back into social groups. The Works is committed to helping young people find their road to recovery and the money raised from the gala dinner will go a long way in helping those young people realise their dream.’
The provisional date for next year’s dinner is Saturday 24th November.
We would like to give say a special thank you to the following:
Crosspint, Aaron Isted - magician, Paul Trevorrow & BT Solutions, The Lighthouse Cosmetic Skin Care Clinic, Sue Paraskeva, Lisa Traxler, Toni Thompson, Bestival, Robert Thompson, Chewton Glen, Phil Keen & First Contact, Farringford - Home of Tennyson, Sarah Hughes, Hattie Thykier, Liz Earle, Annie Dawes, Jess Janvrin, Widget Productions, Solo Agency, Goodleaf Treeclimbing Adventures and the exceptional Peter Tautz - Toastmaster
To find out more about the Youth Trust please visit www.iowyouthtrust.co.uk
'The Isle of Wight Youth Trust do a fantastic job providing welfare services at the Bestival and Camp Bestival. They're part of the team and we are glad to support them.' Rob da Bank - Founder of Bestival
