That Marquee Again
Okay, Folks, I've had the definitive reply from Isobel Keim at The Greenwich Foundation about that mysterious marquee. She writes:
"The giant marquee has been set up on Grand Upper Square at the Old Royal Naval College for a major charity event. On 5th June the children’s charity ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) is holding its annual Gala Dinner on site. It is a showcase event, attracting Hollywood stars and the wealthy hedge-fund community. Last year, the event raised £27m for underprivileged children around the world."
Blimey.
£27m? TWENTY SEVEN MILLION? In one night? Comic Relief should just pack up and go home now. Those tickets must cost a bit more than the usual entry to ORNC events... Well, good luck to 'em. And if you have nothing else to do, you could always go and press your noses against the plastic windows - maybe get a few piccies for the Phantom's Scrapbook. Stargazer, me...* You might even get to hear Aerosmith - I can't imagine those walls will be particularly well soundproofed...
* Of course most of the pics in the Phantom's Scrapbook are of our own Chris Roberts in various poses, carefully cut out of Greenwich Time and pasted onto the sugar-paper pages for frenzied perusal after lights-out in the dorm, but I could make a little space for the odd Hollywood star. The best pic of all would be said Hollywood star shaking hands with Chris Roberts, clearly humbled to be in the presence of greatness...
"The giant marquee has been set up on Grand Upper Square at the Old Royal Naval College for a major charity event. On 5th June the children’s charity ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) is holding its annual Gala Dinner on site. It is a showcase event, attracting Hollywood stars and the wealthy hedge-fund community. Last year, the event raised £27m for underprivileged children around the world."
Blimey.
£27m? TWENTY SEVEN MILLION? In one night? Comic Relief should just pack up and go home now. Those tickets must cost a bit more than the usual entry to ORNC events... Well, good luck to 'em. And if you have nothing else to do, you could always go and press your noses against the plastic windows - maybe get a few piccies for the Phantom's Scrapbook. Stargazer, me...* You might even get to hear Aerosmith - I can't imagine those walls will be particularly well soundproofed...
* Of course most of the pics in the Phantom's Scrapbook are of our own Chris Roberts in various poses, carefully cut out of Greenwich Time and pasted onto the sugar-paper pages for frenzied perusal after lights-out in the dorm, but I could make a little space for the odd Hollywood star. The best pic of all would be said Hollywood star shaking hands with Chris Roberts, clearly humbled to be in the presence of greatness...
Labels: News
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
10:03
7 Comments:
You know what, I dont think Chris Roberts can afford this level of charity altruism ! I may have to stake a pitch outside the gates with the old box brownie and the trusty step ladders for a few snaps for your lights out lustings, Phantom!
Absolute Return for Kids.....why do they want to return them?
Pwoar! Look at the size it!
It's a biggun' and no mistake, guv'nor. But if you're shelling out £27m you're going to want to see some hardware for that. A flimsy canopy from Wilkinsons and a few fairy lights just ain't gonner cut it.
Just an idle thought - I wonder whether the £27m is profit they gave to the kiddies - or total turnover...
I went to a charity bash once - it had about thirty acts, had taken over a country estate, cost vast sums to get in, had fireworks conjurors, film stars, the lot. At one point the tannoy announced they'd raised three hundred and fifty quid...
Well I suppose that certainly "The Talent" would donate their time gratis and I'm pretty sure that a lot of the contractors will be working , if not free, certainly at a scaled down rate.
£27 M though.....I bet some of those kids are gonna have Pimped out scooters and trikes.
I've got an image of something from Dirty Sexy Money in my head.
ARK's a pretty high-profile charity. It was set up by the financier Arpad Busson (Elle Macpherson's ex, which didn't harm the charity's media profile!). It is the 'charity of choice' for a load of hedge-fund managers because of the founder's City connections. As you'd expect, it's rigorously controlled financially, and very transparent, publishing its accounts on the website (I guess it would lose its City backers if it didn't).
TGP said: "Just an idle thought - I wonder whether the £27m is profit they gave to the kiddies - or total turnover..."
The charity's administrative costs are covered by funds raised specifically for that purpose, including investments, so all fundraising profits go directly to specific projects. As for the cost of the event, in 2006 the annual party raised £18.3m and the fundraising cost of that was £2.5m. It looks like it went mostly on hospital equipment and anti-HIV medicines rather than scooters and trikes though!
Still - a £2.5m party... !!!
You've spoiled my fun. I told everyone it was a new Waitrose opening up. Most people's reaction was the same: "Oooh, Waitrose in Greenwich? Can't wait!".
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