Cornwall Community Foundation’s out of county supporters raise over £200,000 at celebratory event in London.

The Foundation welcomed nearly 250 guests to a Gala Dinner on Wednesday 15^th March at the Hurlingham Club, London. Together they raised over £200,000 through donations, auctions and a grand prize draw. The evening was an opportunity for people who love Cornwall but live and work elsewhere, to support communities in need in the county.

Chair of the Foundation, Kim Conchie DL FRSA welcomed guests and introduced the host for the evening, best-selling author, TV presenter and Cornish resident, Fern Britton. Fern regailed guests with stories of her time in the county and what the peninsula means to her.

After celebrating the winner of a special Grand Prize Draw, kindly donated by the Nare Hotel, focus of the evening moved towards an auction. Prizes included generous donations of artwork from leading artist Jethro Jackson, a chance to meet Cornish spymaster Sir Richard Dearlove, and dinner at home cooked by rising stars Tim and Louise Spedding, Jordan Rimmington from the Chalk Effect Climbing Project then spoke passionately about the difference funding received through CCF had made to the lives of people he works with.

Tamas Haydu, CEO of Cornwall Community Foundation said, “It was a pleasure to welcome Cornwall Club members and guests to our first-ever Gala Dinner in the wonderful surroundings of the Hurlingham Club. We are very grateful to the generosity of our Headline Sponsors, the Caledonia Investment Charitable Foundation, and our Drinks Reception Sponsors, JB Estates, for their support, without which this event would not have been possible.”

Jamie Cayzer-Colvin, Chair of the Caledonia Investments Charitable Foundation, said, “It was an honour to support the evening and to continue our association with Cornwall Community Foundation. We are proud to honour the Cornish heritage of the Cayzer family through our partnership, both through this event and through the Caledonia Investments Charitable Foundation programme which focuses on debt management and financial education across Cornwall.”

Josephine Ashby, Managing Director of JB Estates, added, “We are enormously privileged to be able to support the Cornwall Community Foundation.  We are fortunate to live and work in a county which draws enormous focus for its stunning coast, creating a thriving tourism and holiday home industry that generates an important economy for Cornwall. At the same time, it also highlights the disparity within the county where the cost of living, poverty and homelessness is a stark contrast. The CCF provides much-needed support to grassroots groups and organisations and directly supports the Cornish community, providing much-needed relief and opportunities for future generations. Our role is to both support and raise awareness to help achieve a better balance.”

In 2022, out of county support for Cornwall Community Foundation surpassed £1,000,000, providing funding for hundreds of grassroots and community groups across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

For further information about membership of the Cornwall Club, visit https://www.cornwallcommunityfoundation.com/give-to-your-community/living-outside-cornwall/.