The Cheltenham Trust held its first collaborative charity gala night raising £3.6k for Emily’s Gift, supporting children with cancer and their families during difficult times.
The trust’s Gin and Cabaret gala night spectacular, at Cheltenham Town Hall on Thursday 8 February, was supported by key partners, businesses and organisations from across Gloucestershire and the wider area.
Guests enjoyed an evening of glitz and glamour with an immersive cabaret experience from folie style showgirl Talulah Blue, international performing star Tom Balmont, vintage dance troupe The Flaming Feathers, juggling clown Darryl J Carrington, the sizzling chanteuse Miss Em and surprise saxophone performance by Julie Kent.
The trust had set an initial fund-raising target of £2,500 for the evening in support of Emily’s Gift’s inspirational and invaluable charity appeal, which was smashed on the night by more than £1,000.
Laurie Bell, CEO of The Cheltenham Trust, said: “As an independent charity, we recognise that, through working with others, we can have even more of a positive impact, and make a real difference to the lives of those living in Cheltenham, and to our communities.
“We are delighted with the success of the trust’s first collaborative charity event, and by the response to the Gin and Cabaret gala night. The feedback we have had on the event has been overwhelmingly positive, it was a truly memorable night, and we would like to thank all those who supported this first venture into collaborative fund raising and helped us to raise so much for Emily’s Gift and its inspirational and invaluable charity appeal.
“The gala night has set the standard and shown what is possible through partnership collaborations and we are now inviting the local business and commercial community to talk to us about mutually beneficial partnerships so, as a charity, we can host even more events like this.”
The event was supported by Gloucester Brewery and Fox’s Kiln Distillery, and aimed to help Emily’s Gift reach its £500,000 fundraising target. Emily’s Gift appeal was launched in March 2023 by Julie Kent MBE under the umbrella of the Pied Piper Charity. The appeal comes to an end in March 2024.
Julie Kent MBE said: ‘A big thank you to The Cheltenham Trust for collaborating with us as a charity for the first time. The town hall looked incredible, and it was a truly exceptional evening.
When the Emily Kent Trust was first formed in the nineties after her death, we held four annual iconic balls at the town hall, and it was extremely special to return for this Gin and Cabaret gala event at the close of our Emily’s Gift campaign year. Thank you to everyone who worked, sponsored and attended this special night’
The year-long Emily’s Gift appeal aims to raise money to fund a psychologist on the Emily Kent Unit (paediatric oncology) at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for 10 years, to provide invaluable emotional support to children having cancer treatment, and their families.
The presentation cheque for £3,600 will be presented to Julie Kent MBE on Tuesday 27 February at midday at the front entrance of Cheltenham Town Hall by Laurie Bell, CEO The Cheltenham Trust. Geoff Smith of Gloucester Brewery and supplier of Emily’s Gin will attend the presentation as a key partner supporting the Gin and Cabaret charity gala event.
The Cheltenham Trust manages the town’s most iconic and contemporary venues in Cheltenham. The trust provides a diverse year-round programme of cultural events and entertainment, as well as leisure, sport and heritage.
Through its commercial activities the trust raises funding to provide a year-round programme of free community events and activities, enabling thousands of residents and visitors to the town to enjoy exclusive access to live music, entertainment, heritage, art and culture.
To find out more about collaborative working with the trust contact commercial@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk
