A charity auction organized by and held at the FLB and
Mistys last month exceeded all expectations. Thanks to the generosity of
the bidders, donators and attendees of the events, Pattaya’s street kids
will soon have a safe haven to protect them from the dangers of living on
the streets.
The main fund raising event was an auction held on
Sunday 17th March at the FLB where 100 items donated
by local businesses and visitors went under the hammer. The bidders were
from all over the world and they showed fantastic generosity in paying way
over the odds for many of the goodies. Dinner for two with wine at
Bruno’s Restaurant went for 20,500 baht to a gentleman from the U.S. who
made his bid over the Internet, as he could not be here in person. Other
interesting bids were 10,000 baht for a giant teddy bear. A small box of
PG Tips tea bags fetched 3,000 baht and a jar of English mustard 1,500
baht.
Wan
(left), shown here with a member of the FLB staff, was the highest bidder
for the Steve Davis autographed pool cue on auction night at the FLB.
Combined with another event at Mistys, the fundraiser pulled in over a
half million baht for a new wing at the street kids center.
The star item was an autographed Steve Davis snooker
cue, which eventually went for 50,000 baht to a lady bidder. All this took
the auction total to 197,450 baht.
The orphanage sent some of their street kids to open
the evening and entertainment was provided by a group of delightful boys
dressed as wizards and two teenage girls in traditional Thai costume also
performed an accomplished dance.
That, however, was far from the end of the story, as a
second event then went ahead at Misty’s on Thursday 21st
March. It had originally been intended that the Misty’s party would
combine a second auction for any unsold items from the first event, but
the bidders had already snapped up every single item, leaving nothing
needing to be sold. The evening therefore became a party to celebrate the
first success with delicious food provided by three sponsor restaurants,
which was sold for 200 baht a plate. Those present dug deep into their
pockets again and donated money to the box, buying raffle tickets and
ringing the bell to ensure another hugely successful night.
Father
Ray Brennan (center) and the children truly appreciate all the effort that
went into raising the funds so that the Street Kids Center (background)
can be finished soon.
The bar profits from both events were then added to the
fund and the boxes were counted. Many donations from abroad had also been
received and this took the total money raised to an incredible 512,378
baht.
In an earlier article this month the organisers of the
orphanage appeal, Mistys and the FLB bars predicted that they would exceed
their original target of 250,000 baht to enable the new street kids wing
to be finished. Half a million baht was actually needed to cover the full
cost.
“We always hoped and believed that we could make the
quarter million,” said Andy James of Misty’s, “but this result has
blown our minds.”
The organisers would like to thank all the sponsors for
their generous support as well as the people who donated and spent money
during the campaign. All that money is now with the orphanage and the work
of finishing the Street Kids building can get under way. When told of the
news an astounded and happy Father Brennan said that this was one of the
largest donations ever made to the orphanage.
Local sponsors for the events were: Aquanauts Dive
Centre, Bob Palmers, Bruno’s Restaurant, Captains Corner Restaurant,
Casa Pascal Fine Dining Restaurant, David Gomm Golf School, Dollhouse,
Gerry McGinnis Acupuncturist, Jack Tars, Matchroom International, Steve
Davis and Barry Hearn, Mermaid Dive Center, Patrick’s Belgium
Restaurant, Pattaya Mail, Pattaya Realty, Residence Garden,
Shamrock Bar, Shenanigans, and Sportsman Restaurant.
A
colourful trio in beautiful kimono.
Cowboys
from the USA and Canada.
The
energetic French Can Can!
Getting
ready for the starter’s whistle to begin the hoola-hoop contest.
