Sussex award winning solicitors organise unique charity fundraiser
Mayo Wynne Baxter held their second Brighton Medieval Banquet on Saturday 2nd March at The Grand in Brighton, this time raising nearly £18,000 in aid of Sussex Cancer Fund.
After the success on the unique fundraiser in 2017, the forward thinking law firm were back creating medieval mayhem and putting the fun back into fundraising in Brighton. Corporate fundraisers are usually black tie events but this was like no other in the county.
As guests arrived at the themed event they were greeted by actual knights in shining armour before enjoying tankards of ale and goblets of wine donated by The Grand. The venue was transformed into a great banqueting hall and guests were entertained by fire dancers, magicians, jesters, and medieval minstrels. Sheriff Sid Sloane (TV presenter and actor) summoned his ‘tax collectors’ to raise much need funds through games like heads & tails and he even imposed a tax on salt & pepper.
The food took a medieval theme too as The Grand’s chefs served a ‘Peasants Broth’ to start, a platter of meat on the bone for the main and a delicious apple and fig pie for dessert served with local Sussex Mead.
There was a generous prize worth £750 for the Best Dressed Couple which was donated by James Ross Jewellers and won for the second time by Michelle and Geoff Rauf who had handmade their outfits.
Organiser Jason Edge said “The Sussex business community have again been exceptionally generous and we had prize donations for the raffle and auction worth £11,000. There were so many prizes that it felt like everyone won something on the night”
“It was fantastic to see everyone get into the spirit of things and raise money whilst having a lot of fun” said Chris Randall, Chief Executive of Mayo Wynne Baxter who sponsored the event.
“1 in 3 people in Sussex will develop cancer and the money raised will go towards ensuring patients in Sussex have the very best possible cancer care” said Julia Lenton from Sussex Cancer Fund. “Unlike many charities, costs are exceptionally low with only a very small percentage spent on administration; almost all money donated to us can be spent directly to benefit our patients.”
Latest TV’s Andrew Kay acted as auctioneer for six amazing lots including private use of the Sea Life Centre and tickets to the Festival of Sussex GINs in May. The final total was announced at just under £18,000 as the live band Empire got everyone dancing into the early hours.