The Butterfly Ball
Vodafone Group Legal department hosted a Butterfly Ball on Friday 11 June, in aid of Naomi House Children’s Hospice, in the glorious surroundings of the Elcot Park Hotel, Newbury.
The department’s recent support for Naomi House began last year, when a number of team members visited the hospice to plant laurel hedging, as part of their annual green away day. Hearing of how Naomi House had been affected by the recession and that, as a result, it had put a significant number of important projects on hold; the department took the decision to nominate Naomi House as its chosen charity for a year. The money raised from the Butterfly Ball will go towards the renovation and extension of a garden next to the Butterfly Suite, as a place of quiet reflection and remembrance.
Henry Kelly compared the event
Over 100 guests, many from the department’s relationship law firms who sponsored the ball, enjoyed a wonderful evening of fine dining and entertainment, to raise funds for the Quiet Garden project at Naomi House. The event was compared by UK TV and radio celebrity Henry Kelly, whose enthusiasm, wit (and some cajoling of guests) helped make nearly £5,000 from the charity auction alone. Guests enjoyed live music from a ten-piece soul band, were entertained at their tables by a professional magician (we still don’t know where one lady’s ring went!) and many finished the night crowded around the black jack and roulette wheel casino tables after dinner, generously giving even more money towards the fundraising efforts!
By the end of the evening, estimated fundraising had exceeded £20,000. But, with the additional support of the Vodafone Foundation in matching a proportion of these funds, as well as team member Victoria Endean’s contribution of the money she raised from recently completing a staggering three marathons in three days, the final total will be in excess of £30,000 to Naomi House!
From left, Jane Strother, Henry Kelly, Tina Starbuck and Kim Aziz
Happily, the ball raised a great deal more money than will be required for the Quiet Garden project alone, so the remaining money will be donated towards ongoing bereavement support at both Naomi House and jacksplace.
A big “thank you” goes to everyone in the Vodafone Legal department, and especially the charities team who worked so hard on the project over the last few months. Your contributions (and donations) are greatly appreciated be everyone at Naomi House.
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