Bringing together guests from the hospitality, catering and prison community on Friday 7th February 2020 for the annual Clink Charity Ball, raised over £45,000 for The Clink Charity to support their prisoner rehabilitation initiative.
The evening was an opportunity for guests to experience first-hand the success of The Clink’s training and rehabilitation programme with Clink graduates helping to prepare and serve a delicious menu to over 400 guests attending the event, supported by catering college students from Westminster Kingsway and Centrepoint students.
Held in association with venue partner Royal Lancaster London on Hyde Park, and generously supported by General Manager Sally Lane, the exquisite four-course menu was developed by Senior Head Chef John Robinson and Executive Pastry Chef Scott Villacora.
The evening started with a champagne reception with an array of innovative canapés created by Clink Events and served by Centrepoint students. The evening was hosted by The Clink Ball Chairman Vic Laws MBE alongside Clink graduates including Mo Ali who shared his story and journey with The Clink on both sides of the wall since his release.
Dinner was sublime, dessert was even better…Following the delicious four-course meal, Vic led the auction with stunning lots including one week’s accommodation at The Villas at Podernuovo in Tuscany, a private box at Ascot for the day, a round of golf for four people, a private wine tasting with winery owner Nicole Rolet of Chêne Bleu fame and a dinner party catered in your own home with long-time Clink supporter, Chef Ben Purton.
The Clink Ball was kindly supported by a number of generous sponsors. The food and ingredients for the dinner were sponsored by Bidfood, the wine and champagne were sponsored by Booker, the table linen was sponsored by Johnsons Linen Services and the headline sponsor for the evening was HIT Training. Luscombe Drinks kindly provided a range of non-alcoholic alternatives for the evening.
Vic commented “The annual Clink Ball is a chance to celebrate the incredible work Charity achieves across all its projects and we’d like to thank our supporters, sponsors and generous guests for their commitment. We are immensely grateful and proud of the wonderful students, graduates, hotel staff and the dedicated chefs who have helped create this memorable evening”.
Chris Moore, chief executive of The Clink Charity, said: “Without the kindness of our sponsors and generosity of our guests the charity would not be able to offer so many prisoners this unique chance to transform their lives and help create second chances. The Clink Ball provides an amazing opportunity to raise funds that have a lasting impact on so many lives.”
Majella O’Connell, photographer, H&C News and H&C News Publisher, Denis SheehanH&C News were delighted to attend The Clink Ball 2020 last Friday and be part of such a great evening helping The Clink Charity to support their prisoner rehabilitation initiative. Majella O’Connell, photographer at H&C News attended with Publisher, Denis Sheehan.
O’Connell was more than impressed with the evening saying: “It is wonderful to see so many faces from the hospitality industry attend and take part. It was a privilege to hear from two rehabilitated members of The Clink Charity team that spoke of their experiences pre and post incarceration, underlining the transformational work done by The Clink Charity. Their message is one many more need to hear, not just those of us lucky enough to be here tonight.
“The evening was also a living case study in delivering hospitality from Royal Lancaster London GM Sally Beck and team, thank you. Raising £45,000 for The Clink Charity to further support their prisoner rehabilitation initiative is also a case study in what our great industry can do.”
To find out more about The Clink Charity and its prisoner training initiatives please visit www.theclinkcharity.org