Jimmy Page “looks down from
above” as Ronny Gorrie collects his great auction prize, a Jimmy Page signed
guitar. The legendary guitarist from Led Zeppelin donated his acoustic
guitar inscribed with best wishes to Jesters Care for Kids, and included a
beautiful case to protect it. After a year-long wait from last year’s gala
party night, the great success of this year’s event proved well worth the
wait.
Bernie Tuppin
A year is a long time to wait for a good night out, but when that
night is the Jesters Care for Kids Gala Party Night, then patience is well
rewarded. Saturday, September 22nd, the doors of the Amari Orchid Pattaya’s
Aranda Ballroom opened to admit more than 250 enthusiastic community-minded
supporters of the Jesters Care for Kids; most of who had booked tables
immediately following last year’s inaugural event.
The evening began with complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres served in the
foyer by attentive Amari staff, while the Jesters Care for Kids organizing
committee were busy outside welcoming guests and selling tickets for the
Grand Raffle. Muted background music allowed anticipatory chatter to
proceed, while guests awaited entry to the main hall, where a sumptuous
buffet was ready to be consumed.
Once inside Lewis [Woody] Underwood, chairman of Jesters Care for Kids, gave
a brief speech to thank all for their attendance and highlighting some of
work carried out by the group. After that it was time to party. Russell Jay,
emcee for the evening, introduced local radio host and entertainer Barry
Upton to set the tone for the night’s entertainment. It is easy to see why
Barry is so popular around local music venues, given his choice of popular
songs, which was perfectly suited to the audience with lots of golden
oldies.
Much more was to follow with the slick guidance of stage manager, Richy
Rhodes, who kept the programme tight and controlled. His task was to merge
the business and pleasure of the evening; the business, of course, was to
conduct the auction and arrange the drawing for the Grand Raffle.
The annual auction has been a main feature of the Jesters Care for Kids’
fund-raising for many years, and this year’s array of items was probably the
best ever. Some of the items featured were signed memorabilia from
internationally famous sports personalities, such as NHL’s Wayne Gretzky and
Gordie Howe, NBA’s Shaquille O’Neil, NFL’s Joe Montana, MLB’s Harmon
Killebrew, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Ernie Banks, LPGA’s Yani Tseng and
former world heavyweight boxing champ, Joe Frazier. Valuable jewelry,
antique art, a hand-built motorcycle and music memorabilia, including an
Epiphone Guitar from Peter Windgasse’s guitar collection, were also
available.
The Grand raffle has also been popular over the years with this year’s main
prize being a Honda PCX 150, as well as a flat screen TV, holidays at
various resorts, a car rental vouchers for B25,000 and many more.
As soon as Barry stepped down, Mark Rogers stepped up to conduct the first
part of the auction. Spirited bidding ensued with the main interest
displayed in a beautiful gold ring encrusted with diamonds donated by Steve
Hanchon and successfully bid on by Carey Pinter at B59,000 for his
attractive companion, the proud new owner. This was followed by Kevin Smith,
who bullied all other bidders to obtain the handcrafted vintage motorcycle
with an offer of B66,000.
It was time for a break and popular duo Harpic Bryant and Brian Thomas
entertained, while bidders steeled themselves and checked their wallets for
the main event and browsed the items displayed for the silent auction. Why
the main event? Because phase two of the auction items would see the last
lots go under the hammer. What was there to generate such interest? Well,
Jimmy Page, legendary guitarist from Led Zeppelin, had donated his acoustic
guitar inscribed with best wishes to Jesters Care for Kids with a beautiful
case to protect it. Jimmy has been a supporter of the Jesters Care for Kids
for many years and has attended many of their functions. However,
unfortunately this year, he could not attend, but his kindness made such an
impact on the bottom line of the event. After a spirited bidding contest,
Ronny Gorrie held his nerve and with a final bid of B420,000 took home the
item. In total, the auction, both publicly and silently, raised over
B850,000, a most satisfying result.
Next came the Grand Raffle draw and the winner of the Honda PCX150
motorcycle was Bam from the Saloon Bar, ticket #12019, winner of the B25,000
Q Cars Rental voucher was Gordo, ticket #21131 and 21-inch flat screen went
to NuPorth with ticket #9239. As many of the lucky winners were not in
attendance, the full results of the Raffle can be found on the lower right
corner of page 31 in this edition of the Pattaya Mail. To claim your prizes,
email: contact@care4kids .info or tel. 0899825814.
With the business part of the evening out of the way, on with the party,
more entertainment followed supplied this time by Brian, Bob, Len, and Tony
aka the BBLT Band. This group with a combined age of 250 years and almost
200 years in the music business soon had the crowd dancing and singing along
until time to go home. It was a great finale to a magic night; everyone so
happy.
Lewis [Woody] Underwood remarked afterwards that it was possibly their
single most successful event raising an astonishing total of over one
million baht. He thanked the generosity of the sponsors, the donors and the
supporters, who bid liberally and all of the entertainers, who gave of their
time freely. He also thanked the management and staff of the Amari Orchid
Pattaya for the fabulous venue, their presentation and their professional
service.
Finally, Woody thanked our committee for the many months of planning and the
teamwork on the night.
Was it worth the wait? Of course it was! I can’t wait for next year and to
see you there!
Sister Ganyanee, rep from the Marriot, Pat
Warner and Sister Joan from Jesters’ main beneficiary, the Fountain of Life
Center.
Jester Bill Freeman presents the Honda PCX 150,
top prize in this year’s grand raffle, to winner Bam from the Saloon Bar.
Lewis [Woody] Underwood, chairman of Jesters
Care for Kids, gives a brief speech to thank all for their attendance and
highlight some of work carried out by the group.
Ronny Gorrie held his nerve and with a final bid of
B420,000 took home the Jimmy Page signed guitar inscribed with best wishes
to Jesters Care for Kids.
Woody and Bill proudly show off the vintage
Harley up for grabs in the auction.
(L to R) Paul Wilkinson, along with Roseanne and
Michael Diamente sample the wine before dinner.
(L to R) Woody, Neil and Simon share amusing
stories.
Men about town Vic Cross and Stephen Beard chat
over a beer.
Tony Malhotra and Rick Harpic are obviously
having a great time.
A thorn between several roses? Tony Malhotra
(center) is flanked by Anna Petchawee, Umaporn Rachatawattanagul, Nittaya
Patimasongkroh and Praichit Jetpai.
The food Amari put on is delicious.
Popular duo Harpic Bryant and Brian Thomas
entertain the crowd.
Len Tuckey, lead guitarist for BBLT, has the
crowd screaming for more.
Barry Upton to sets the tone for the night’s
entertainment.
Ambitious partiers dance the night away.
Alan from the Jesters holds up an auction item,
the signed copy of Jimmy Page’s original score to the movie Death Wish.
Carey Pinter successfully bid B59,000 for a
beautiful gold ring encrusted with diamonds donated by Steve Hanchon, shown
here by Carey’s attractive companion, the proud new owner.
Kevin Smith successfully outbid all other
bidders to obtain the handcrafted vintage motorcycle with an offer of
B66,000.
Grand Raffle Prize Winners
| Prize |
Donator |
Winner |
Ticket Number |
| Honda PCX 150 |
Jesters MC |
Saloon |
12019 |
| Q Cars Rental Voucher - valued at 25,000 baht |
Q Cars |
Gordo |
21131 |
| Q Cars Rental Voucher - valued at 25,000 baht |
Q Cars |
|
21355 |
| Trip for 4 to River Kwai |
Judi McNamara |
Anya |
12453 |
| Bangkok Hospital Pattaya check up voucher |
Bangkok Hospital |
Ariel Reaper |
9480 |
| Pinnacle Koh Tao Resort, 2 night stay in a Superior
Bungalow including ABF |
Pinnacle Hotels |
Gordo |
21094 |
| Nirvana Resort, Koh Chang. 2 nights, inc. ABF and
dinner for 2 PAX |
Nirvana Resort |
Gorda |
20920 |
| Pinnacle Grand Jomtien Resort & Spa, 2 night stay in a
Superior Bungalow including ABF |
Pinnacle Hotels |
Jari |
13446 |
| Ladies Australian Opal Watch |
Indigo Opals |
Gordon |
8597 |
| Mens Harley Davidson Black Flame Watch |
Jamie Lebeda |
Roger |
9202 |
| Pinnacle Samui Resort & Spa, 2 night stay in a Superior
Bungalow including ABF |
Pinnacle Hotels |
Dat |
8771 |
| 21" Flat screen TV |
Erle |
NU-POR(th) |
9239 |
| Pinnacle Lumpinee Hotel & Spa, 2 night stay in a
Pinnacle room including ABF |
Pinnacle Hotels |
Gator |
14057 |
| Donut Maker |
PILC |
Mike Roof |
21277 |
| Canadian souvenir bag |
Jeff Paladeau |
Nid |
8477 |
| Casa Pascal - “Terrace BBQ Grill with Salad Buffet” (
food only ) for 2 PAX |
Casa Pascal |
Garfield |
23663 |
| Casa Pascal - “Terrace BBQ Grill with Salad Buffet” (
food only ) for 2 PAX |
Casa Pascal |
Alan |
14265 |
| Casa Pascal - “Terrace BBQ Grill with Salad Buffet” (
food only ) for 2 PAX |
Casa Pascal |
Niclas |
21227 |
| Casa Pascal - “Terrace BBQ Grill with Salad Buffet” (
food only ) for 2 PAX |
Casa Pascal |
Jim |
697 |
| Casa Pascal - “Terrace BBQ Grill with Salad Buffet” (
food only ) for 2 PAX |
Casa Pascal |
Capt Steve |
12751 |
| Casa Pascal - “Daily BBQ Breakfast & BBQ Lunch Buffet”
for 2 PAX |
Casa Pascal |
Cward |
12156 |
| Casa Pascal - “Daily BBQ Breakfast & BBQ Lunch Buffet”
for 2 PAX |
Casa Pascal |
Rebecca Reaper |
9521 |
| Casa Pascal - “Daily BBQ Breakfast & BBQ Lunch Buffet”
for 2 PAX |
Casa Pascal |
Oxley |
18034 |
| Casa Pascal - “Daily BBQ Breakfast & BBQ Lunch Buffet”
for 2 PAX |
Casa Pascal |
Oiysaint |
12394 |
| Casa Pascal - “Daily BBQ Breakfast & BBQ Lunch Buffet”
for 2 PAX |
Casa Pascal |
Mrs. Sam |
20498 |
| To claim your prizes, email:
[email protected] or tel. 0899825814. |
