Last year I worked with an incredible venue and supplier team to organise a black tie charity event for a charity wihich is very close to my heart.
Jazz and Cocktails was planned in support of the Nottingham Hospitals Charity Kidney Care Appeal. This is a cause with special significance to my family.
On 13th November 2009 my husband received a call from the Transplant Co-ordinator that would be the start of a complex journey that began with him receiving a kidney transplant later that day. Over the last few years he has received first class care, careful monitoring, treatment, advice and support provided by the staff team within the Renal and Transplant Unit. I continue to be in awe of the fabulous work carried out by the team and am committed to raising funds for the unit as a way of saying thank you for the invaluable support my husband receives as a kidney transplant patient.
The venue for the event was Floral Media near Newark in Nottinghamshire. Owned by Steven and Paula Routledge, Floral Media provided the perfect blank canvas to create the New Orleans 'jazz club' setting I had in mind for the evening. I wanted guests to have an enjoyable evening with treats for all their senses! Lots to see, delicious food and drink and fabulous music. All of this whilst keeping the focus on the purpose of the evening, to raise money for the Kidney Care Appeal.
Guests arrived to a cocktail and canapes drinks reception with live jazz performed. They were then treated to a fabulous three course meal whilst enjoying even more live jazz!
On arrival, guests were treated to delicious canapés and signature cocktails.
Left - Cocktail maestro Thomas from Mambo Mobile Bars Right - The Benessamy - one of the two signature cocktails enjoyed by our guests on the night
When I contacted Thomas The Caterer about the menu for the evening the brief I gave him was to create a New Orleans jazz kitchen inspired menu. I wanted the food to be as authentic as the music! Judging by the comments from the guests on the night, the menu certainly did not disappoint.
Dessert was served with a touch of sparkle and rum scented dry ice!
The evening was compared by BBC Broadcaster Andrew James. During the drinks reception guests were entertained with live jazz performed by Andy Tytherleigh and Ben Martin.
The headline act for the evening was Nottingham Jazz band Me & Mrs Jones who performed throught the meal with a fabulous set of jazz classics.
After dinner, guests were addressed by Consultant Transplant Surgeon Mr Keith Rigg who explained the work of the Nottingham Renal Unit and how the funds raised would make a contribution towards the work they do to help enhance the treatment and care for their patients. The Kidney Care Appeal supports vital research, improved treatments, and better facilities for renal patients.
A fundraising auction and raffle then followed led by Andrew James (with a little help from me to model one of the auction lots!).
Guests then enjoyed the rest of the evening relaxing with more live jazz performed by Me & Mr Jones.
The event raised around £3,300 (this figure keeps going up!) for the Kidney Care Appeal and was featured in the Nottingham Post.
Pictured from left to right Mike (my hubby) with Anita, Linda, Keith and Gill from the Renal and Transplant Team, Ruth from the Nottingham Hospitals Charity Fundraising Team, Me and my daughter Jessamy and Ben who were part of the Thomas The Caterer team for the evening.
It was an absolute pleasure working with the team I pulled together for this event. They were all amazing!
A very special thank you to Steven and Paula Routledge at Floral Media who were instrumental in making the event such a success with their unwavering support from the very start of the plans through to transforming their fabulous venue for the evening.
Photography by Daniel Hughes Photography
Venue - Floral Media
Planning and Co-ordination - Benessamy
Flowers and venue styling - Floral Media
Catering - Thomas The Caterer
Music - Me & Mr Jones and Ben Martin Music
Cocktails - Mambo Mobile Bars
Compare - Andrew James
Guest Speaker - Mr Keith Rigg - Consultant Surgeon - Nottingham Renal and Transplant Unit - Nottingham University Hospitals
Table plan and event stationery - Polly and Me.
Event promotional material - Best Day Ever
Giant Light up Letters - Doris Loves
Val x
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