# Hilton in the Community Foundation Ball smashes fundraising records

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/10/24/hilton-community-foundation-ball-smashes-fundraising-records/
- Published: 2008-10-24T11:52:14+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

![](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/images/newswire/Hcf ball 010_1224849134.
jpg)

Press Release 21st October 2008:

Hilton Foundation Ball smashes fundraising records:

Last Saturday night’s Foundation Ball at the London Hilton on Park Lane proved an
extraordinary success with £375,000 raised on the night – defying the credit crunch
and smashing previous Foundation Ball totals.

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The evening, generously sponsored by Andreas Panayiotou and the Ability Group, included
a champagne reception, four-course gourmet dinner and first-class entertainment 
from West-end stars the Jersey Boys and the children of the Sylvia Young Theatre
School.

Over 750 guests were present to see ‘King of the Jungle’ Christopher Biggins run
the charity auction and raffle for an array of exciting prizes. A Volkswagen Fox
car was won in a game of ‘Heads and Tails’ before the soufflé starter had arrived
and a week’s holiday in Los Angeles to see Celine Dion perform raised £10,000.

The Ball’s popularity is proving resistant to the economic climate and set a new
record for money raised. Last year’s Ball made £226,574 in support of the Hilton
in the Community Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Every year the Foundation nominates a children’s charity to receive 50% of the net
funds raised on the night. The remaining 50% is all distributed to other charities
supported through a grant giving programme that focuses on those young people who
are most in need. This year, the Lords Taverners’ Disability Sports Appeal, looking
to raise a million pounds leading up to the London 2012 Olympics, was the Ball’s
primary beneficiary. The grant will be used to purchase specially adapted wheelchairs
to enable children to participate in wheelchair basketball, tennis and boccia. On
the night an extraordinary 67 pledges of £1000 were also given to sponsor individual
wheelchairs.

Dame Maureen Thomas, Hilton in the Community Foundation Trustee and Chair of the
Ball Committee, said:

“This is always an important night in the Hilton in the Community Foundation calendar
and this year has seen our most successful Ball ever. We are thrilled to have raised
a record amount as in current financial climate it is more important than ever for
us to support children’s charities in need of help. We were also delighted to have
the Taverners Disability Sports Appeal as this year’s principal beneficiary; having
enjoyed watching this year’s paralympians in Beijing I hope that this fundraising
will help to equip the next generation of athletes with the tools for success!”

Judith Chalmers OBE, Lady Taverners President Emeritus said:

“This was a fantastic evening and it was absolutely terrific to see so much good
will and generosity on the night. To have raised such a spectacular sum of money
is wonderful and I’d like to thank everyone for their support on behalf of The Lord’s
Taverners Disability Sports Appeal. This money raised for the junior wheelchair 
sports programmes we have put in place and for the provision of sports wheelchairs
will really make a great difference to so many young people’s lives, and will enable
children with disabilities to enjoy all the benefits which sport has to offer .”

ENDS