Member Article

Charity Ball Achieves Fundraising Target

CALVERT Trust Kielder, a local disability charity, has raised thousands of pounds to help make a difference to the lives of over 15,000 children and adults with disabilities across the North East.

With the help of volunteers and local businesses from across the region, Calvert Trust Kielder raised over £33,000 at its prestigious annual event held at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead. Kielder Water & Forest Park was recreated in the Gateshead suite, where hundreds of guests began their evening surrounded by the scents and sounds of the forest.

The glamorous ball also included a charity auction where exclusive prizes such as a signed picture by Pele and use of a holiday home in France were made available and snapped up by the 250 that attended the evening.

The event is the biggest in Calvert Trust Kielder’s fundraising calendar and the highlight of the ‘money can’t buy’ auction was an invitation for lunch in the palaces of Rome from Prince Fra’ Matthew Festing, who is the current (79th) Grand Master of the Knights of Malta and personally donated the prize.

Peter Cockerill, CEO at Calvert Trust Kielder, said: “The money raised from The Calvert Ball will enable people of all abilities from across the North East to experience outdoor activity holidays that they never thought possible.

“We are delighted with the backing we have received this year as without the help of our supporters and sponsors, we wouldn’t be able to continue to host The Calvert Ball.”

The ball has raised in excess of £100,000 since its debut in 2009 and is the biggest event in Calvert Trust Kielder’s fundraising calendar. Sponsors of the event included Gorman Hamilton Solicitors, TLW Solicitors, Perro Design & Communication, Gordon Brown Law Firm, Hilton Newcastle Gateshead and Robson Print.Janice Reeve at Reeve Associates, who won the trip to Rome, said: “This was an invitation only opportunity that I just couldn’t let pass. The bidding was exciting and I was thrilled to win the prize and support such a great charity.”

Since 1984, Calvert Trust Kielder has been transforming lives, and each year enables over 5,000 people with disabilities, along with their family and friends, to achieve their potential through the challenge of outdoor adventure. The trust provides a wide range of adventurous activities in a safe environment with skilled, qualified and caring staff to inspire and instruct guests.

The 2013 Ball took place on 11 October, at Hilton Newcastle Gateshead.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jodie Balmer .