Bus Project Fund Raising - October 2005

October 1st saw supporters attending a Gala Evening to raise funds for the bus. 144 people packed into The Grange in Wallington, Surrey, and were entertained by:

• "Hunky-Dory" – an award-winning barbershop quartet from the Surrey Harmony chorus;
• Natalie Herman and Paul Wilson from the English National Opera;
• The Disclaimers – duo Mick and Trevor on guitars - and
• not forgetting the "Magic Man Daniel" who circulated round the tables throughout the meal confounding guests with his tricks.

Items auctioned included:

• a day at the Lingfield Races;
• 2 lots of golf for 4 people at Lingfield;
• a mountain bike;
• Rugby Cup Final and International tickets;
• Signed Football Cup Final ball and programme and
• Signed book and DVD “The Long Way Round” from Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman.

These raised £945. Raffle prizes were donated by local businesses and generated a further £835.

The evening provided a net donation of £2,754 which was matched by a further £2,500 from Holy Cross Church, Carshalton, handed to Fr. Bull by the parish Treasurer Anthony Phillips.

A great evening all round and a fitting contribution to enhance the funds already raised from many sources for the bus – we look forward to hearing about its safe arrival in Accra from Germany!