Member Article

Iceland Chooses Carden Park as Charity Event Hospitality Partner for 20th year

One of Britain’s fastest growing retailers, Iceland Foods has a tireless dedication to raising money for good causes and this year will be supporting an initiative to raise public awareness of the life threatening illness, sepsis (https://sepsistrust.org/ukst-announce-partnership-with-iceland-foods-charitable-foundation/)

For the last 20 years the Chester-based retailer’s chosen hospitality partner for its biggest fundraiser, a charity golf day and gala dinner, is Carden Park Estate. This was voted England’s Best Golf Hotel at the World Golf Awards as it is home to two championship golf courses and excellent conference and banqueting facilities within its 1,000 acre grounds in leafy Cheshire.

The Nicklaus course was designed by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus and his son Steve. With a picturesque start at the first hole, the course is located next to the onsite vineyard and offers views of the Welsh hills, with the game leading golfers around the front of the Cheshire country estate.

The Cheshire course has recently been nominated England’s Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards 2019, and offers an impressive end with the 18th hole set upon a cliff overlooking the full estate.

Last year over £600,000 was raised from the event, which attracts suppliers, employees and even customers of the Chester-based company’s 950 stores across the UK. This year funds will support the “Let’s Beat Sepsis Together” campaign (www.sepsistrust.org) and will help drive awareness of World Sepsis Day on 13thSeptember

Organiser Amanda Camillo is Executive PA to Founder & Executive Chairman Sir Malcolm Walker, who has raised over £24 million for good causes through the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation and was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list two years ago for his personal commitment to charity.

Amanda explains why Iceland returns to Carden year after year for its biggest fundraiser, “They accommodate all our needs as we book out both the Cheshire and the Nicklaus golf courses which are exceptional. The day involves competitions for 1st,2nd& 3rdplace, charity holes, hole in one and beat the pro challenges and more. Refreshments are served throughout the day and we even have ice cream vans around the courses.”

“We have our own marquee for the Gala Dinner which attracts over 500 guests for a three course meal specially created for us by the award winning team of chefs from Carden Park and then we enjoy entertainment and an auction for exceptional prizes such as an Ultimate Four-Day Luxury Formula One Party Experience in Abu Dhabi.”

“The main reason we return to Carden is the team there. This is a big undertaking for Iceland and we start to plan the event almost a year in advance. We always know we can rely on the Carden team who are faultless, really flexible and totally supportive. They accommodate all our needs and nothing is ever too much trouble.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jo Leah .