|
Jaguar driver Mark Webber and Channel 4 motorsport presenter Jon Desborough were the special guests - but they weren't the only stars of the night as Hyperformance Events' second F1 Charity Party at Whittlebury Hall proved another fantastic success.
Nearly 200 guests - more than double the initial F1 Party 12 months earlier! - helped raise just under £10,000 for the Milton Keynes Community Foundation and Cancer Research UK. And organisers Richard White and Julie Holdom described it as ".a phenomenal effort."!
"What a fantastic night," said Julie. "What a superb performance by Mark Webber and Jon Desborough, what a fantastic band Pastiche were - I'm sure we could have all danced through the night, they were that good - and what phenomenal generosity by our wonderful guests."
The money spinner was undoubtedly the charity auction, with bidders competing for some fabulous donations - Damon Hill and Eddie Jordan among the contributors. Indeed, former world champion Hill's signed baseball cap raised £350, while Mark Webber's signed driving gloves fetched £310.
But the most hearty bidding was for the star donation from Jon Desborough and the BMW Williams team. A day out with the Williams team - including lunch with drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya - fetched an incredible £1600.
"There were some fantastic items up for auction, and I think we were all so lucky to be able to bid for such things as a signed, framed picture of Sir Alex Ferguson, the autographs of the Arsenal squad, and a day out golfing at Woburn, none of which you come by every day," said Richard White.
"It was a real 'feel good' night - the Formula One simulator was very popular, though I don't think Mark Webber was too worried about his position with Jaguar being under threat!
"And once again, our compliments to Whittlebury Hall - the meal was excellent, as was the service, and dining was made even more agreeable by the excellent contribution of the Regency Wind Quintet, who entertained us with some seasonal music.
"And so successful was the whole evening, we've already had people asking for a repeat performance next year - Jon Desborough's already volunteered his services again, and Mark really enjoyed himself and gave his full backing to the charity, and it would be wonderful if he could join us again to," said Richard.
Mark and Jon provided the star turn when they did an on-stage question and answer session. Mark told guests of his ambition to become world champion, but admitted he would have to be patient, such was the domination of F1 by Michael Schumacher at the moment. He also took questions from the floor, signed autographs and posed for pictures.
"Mark and Jon's performance was great stuff, revealing and witty," said Julie. "Mark was a real star, he's such a nice guy and we really appreciated the efforts he made to join us, especially as he'd been testing during the week in Barcelona and only arrived back in England that afternoon."
For further information, contact Peter Jones at Red Alert Media on 07870 687992 |
