Windfall for charity at Gala of Giving
A charity auction has broken its record set last year, bringing in more than $420,000 for 13 good causes on the island.
The second Gala of Giving was held on Friday night at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club — surpassing the $310,000 raised last year.
The event was organised by Conduit Reinsurance with the hotel’s assistance along with the Planning Factory.
It was addressed by Lord Nicholas Soames, the grandson of Winston Churchill.
Lord Nicholas is a former British minister, Conservative Party politician and chairman of Conduit’s environmental, social, governance and foundation committees.
There were 32 hosts for the night with 350 guests to dinner with cocktails and wines donated by Goslings.
The island’s business community pitched in to donate auction prizes, while individual attendees raised more than $185,000 on the evening.
Comedian Alonzo Bodden was once more the master of ceremonies, assisted by Nadanja Bailey, with music provided by the Bermudian band TRS, led by Ronnie Lopes.
The combined success of the galas has brought in more than $750,000 in two years.
Stuart Quinlan, of Conduit Reinsurance, who was the driving force at Conduit behind the creation of the Gala of Giving, announced that Christian Dunleavy of Aspen Insurance and his team had come forward to organise next year's Gala.
Mr Quinlan said: "Thank you, Christian, for taking the baton — this event is very dear to me and I know it could not be in better hands.“
The 13 beneficiary charities range from social to educational and environmental causes.
This year’s recipients were the Bermuda College Foundation; the Bermuda National Trust; the Bermuda Red Cross; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bermuda; Friends of Christ Church Warwick; the homelessness charity Home; the Living Reefs Foundation; Meals on Wheels; Pals cancer care; Scars; Tomorrow’s Voices; Vision Bermuda; and Waterstart Bermuda.
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