Ladies night is a hit!

Ashlea Williams hosted a VIP Ladies Night in Via Fossa Nottingham on the 9th August on behalf of RAFT. The evening consisted of entertainment, goodies, DJ, chocolates and fabulous raffle prizes!

The event went off with a bang with everyone enjoying themselves and the night raised £330, which is fantastic! Lush who attended the evening were even giving everyone free face mask pots and lip glosses with any purchase they made. 

A few words from Ashlea: “The raffle was amazing, someone spent £15.00 on the raffle and it did pay off as she won around 5 prizes all together! I did enjoy myself but I would have loved it if a few more people came… I was being asked when the next event is.. ahh! I have not even thought about that yet! I go on holiday on Wednesday to Tunisia for 11 nights, I think I deserve it too!”

All of us agree that she definitely deserves her holiday! We are all so grateful for all that Ashlea has done and maybe her event will inspire you to fundraise for RAFT.

Ashlea Williams (right) with one of the guests.

Quirky shoes donated for the raffle. 

Laughs in aid of RAFT - Comedy Night

What better way to spend a Wednesday evening this month!

On Wednesday  28^th March 2012, RAFT has been given the opportunity to sell tickets to a night of comedy at Ruislip’s Comedy Bunker located at the Fairways, Ruislip Golf Centre.

Tickets are £10 each, with the Comedy Bunker kindly offering to donate £3 from each ticket sale towards RAFT’s research.

The evening will consist of 3 great acts, with the headline act already confirmed for the evening; ‘The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue’

A prop/music driven double act, professionally dancing about and holding up words and pictures since 2004. Regularly headlining at Jongleurs clubs, even venturing as far afield as The Falklands and Oman, to provide spiritual uplift to the brave boys and girls of the armed forces. A double act not to be missed!

A few reviews of their act include:

Weller, Weller, Weller - tell me more! Loved the new stuff, but adored the old stuff which still sounds fresh. Well done guys - magnificent.

Cried with laughter at these two! Just go see them! Now!

By far the best double-act the UK has produced for many, many years. Unbelievably funny and technically sublime. The visual timing and quality of gag writing is beyond compare. A complete and utter gem.

The second comedian announced for our event is Bobby Mair,a comedian on the rise. In 2011, he won Stand Up and Bite Me, being nationally televised on Bite TV across Canada. Since coming to London he has played for The Stand, Jongleurs, Highlights, Off the Kerb, and The Comedy Tree.

Check out his full profile here 

Doors open at 8.15pm and the show starts at 8.45pm. There are two bars downstairs at the Fairways and a bar at the back of the Function Room for drinks in the 15 minute interval. 

Further information on the Comedy Bunker can be found by visiting their website here.

It would be great to have your support on the evening and in return we promise you a great evening’s entertainment, full of fun and laughter - they do say it’s the best medicine! Order your tickets now by calling me on 01923 844017 or you can email on ripley@raft.ac.uk - lots of tickets have already been sold, so book now to avoid disappointment.

Laura Ripley

Welcome Guest Blogger Mike Green from The Alford Silver Band

If you are in Lincolnshire on Saturday 15th October and want a good evening’s entertainment AND to help RAFT, then make your way to Alford.

This tiny historic market town (situated in the middle of the triangle formed by Skegness, Mablethorpe and Louth) might only have a population of 3,500, but it boasts one of the biggest and best bands in the County and beyond. And on 15th October, the band will be giving a show in aid of RAFT at the beautiful and accoustically perfect St Wilfrid’s Church in the heart of the town.

I got involved with RAFT in my “previous life” as Chief Officer of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and in my retirement in Lincolnshire have looked for ways that I could continue to contribute to the charity, even if in only a small way. I can be a bit of a bore talking about the vital research and good work that RAFT engages in. So I was delighted when one of the bands I play for suggested giving a performance dedicated to raising funds for the charity.

Alford Silver Band is not one of the “household name” bands for one very good reason - it does not compete in band contests. It is just a very popular and thus very busy, not-for-profit community band dedicated to entertaining people. We play a huge variety of good music, guaranteed to have something to please everyone. And we provide excellent musical training for youngsters from a wide geographical area. Including the beginners and the training band, we have over 60 members. Many of the musicians, like me, play for other bands as well, some on a semi-professional basis. But the jewel in our crown that makes us as good (and as popular) as we are is our professional musical director.

Steve Walker is a much-in-demand professional trumpet player of international repute. He is also one of the best entertainers in the business. And when I suggested putting on a concert, he replied, “no … let’s give them their money’s worth. Let’s put on a show.” So that’s what we are doing. We guarantee good music. a varied programme with something to suit all tastes, and some laughs along the way. And with an entrance price of just £4 (payable on the door), excellent value too. And every penny raised will go towards RAFT.

There’s more information on the band’s website - www.alfordsilverband.co.uk - so I hope to see you on 15th October. And if you do come, please do say hello to me (I’m the one in the front row, last on the right as you look at the photo!)

Mike Green