On Sunday 13th February Teddies for Loving Care, Nottingham, held its ‘17th Valentine's Lunch’ in the beautiful Carriage Hall, in Plumtree, Nottingham.
A total of 116 guests, including 15 children, attended. All were welcomed by RW Philip Marshall, PGM, and President of TLC Nottinghamshire. A special welcome was given to tables who have regularly supported the event as well as ‘first-timers’ and all the children.
Throughout the afternoon committee members, David James and Andy O’Hagan, energetically did the rounds of the tables selling raffle tickets for the ‘Monster Raffle’ of prizes generously donated by masons and local retailers.
Between them, they managed to extract £625 from the captive diners! An auction of goods donated by local companies and sponsors which included a Paul Smith cardholder, an Italia ’90 England Shirt signed by Paul Gascoigne, and a Fortnum & Mason Lovestruck Hamper raised a further £935, and sales of other TLC items, plus cash donations and ticket sales added up to a magnificent sum of £2,140 for the day.
A specially invited guest was Maria Hanson MBE, founder of the me&dee Charity which supports, and helps families and children facing life-changing and life-limiting circumstances to create special memories which they will cherish forever.
TLC Nottingham already supports the Charity with a continual supply of bears and at today’s event, the charity arm of Freemasonry in Nottingham took the opportunity to present Maria with a cheque for £5,000 to support her and her partner, Mark who is Head of Operations, in the wonderful work they do.
This presentation has also now been matched by the MCF taking the total cash donation to £10,000
An excellent three-course lunch, helped along by some fine wine, was enjoyed by all especially the ‘Valentines Chocolate Bomb’ desert created by the chef.
After the meal parents were able to relax whilst their offspring were entertained by Matthew Ramsell www.matthewramsellmagic.co.uk, who enthralled the children with his magic and blew their minds, as well as balloons, to produce hats and swords! Squeals of laughing children coupled with the buzz of conversation all added up to an afternoon to remember.
At the close of the event, thanks were given by TLC Chairman, Graham Riche, to all involved in making the event such a success, especially the members of the TLC committee and Mel Latter, and the staff of the Carriage Hall. He flagged up Sunday 12th February 2023, as a date for the diary for next year’s Valentine's Lunch.
(Webmaster note: Photo permissions were obtained for all those shown)
See a little video showing the Charity presentation to Me&Dee founder Maria Hanson
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