Jesters Pub Night – And What A Night!

Mike Franklin

The final lap of the 2004 Jesters ‘Care for Kids’ Charity Drive did not disappoint as it had all the ingredients and meticulous planning to ensure a memorable night for all. The 70s theme added lustre with many partygoers sporting colourful and exciting costumes. The friendly Shenanigans staff led the way and looked even more charming and glamorous in their 70s gear.

A team of local make-up artists worked all afternoon to provide the hairdos and makeovers, and all with good effect as the photos prove. It’s hard to single out the best results, but landlord Kim Fletcher was outstanding, and Bua and Aum were transformed. Graham Macdonald responded courageously to a challenge from John Kennedy to be made up as Gene Simmons from Kiss, and earned 25,000 baht for the charity fund. Diane Connelly, usually the ‘tooth fairy’ at the Fountain of Life Center, decided that Loopy Lou was her character for the night, aided and abetted by an oversized Andy Pandy. Yours truly turned up as the lead singer from the Blue Gees, and what group is that you may well ask.

All a lot of fun and a fitting backdrop to the serious business of the final fund raising effort of the 2004 Jesters ‘Care for Kids’ Charity Drive.

Nothing was left to chance about the program for the evening, as the two big guys, Nigel Saunders and Neil Smith who had emceed the Jesters Children’s Fair a week earlier so well, were up to the challenge for the Jesters Pub Night. Nigel Saunders, a past master at running 70s theme nights kept the evening running at pace and Neil Smith linked effectively throughout. There were trivia spot prizes, audience participation games, and singsongs, all punctuating the two main activities of the evening.

Namely the Grand Raffle and, front of stage, the auction of many items of sports memorabilia, artefacts and other valuable items. Professional Canadian auctioneer, Eddie Henheffer again volunteered his services and worked tirelessly to sell off the long list of lots on offer. I asked him how much he thought he could raise (it was 482,000 baht in 2003), and, having assessed the potential of the auction list, he replied, “Over half a million baht”. Congratulations Eddie, spot on, raising the staggering sum of 551,000 baht.

The New Zealand All Blacks Rugby shirt donated by Darren Snow and signed by the whole team was always considered to be a star item and the winning bid of 110,000 baht proved it! Not far behind was an impressive 85,000 baht raised for the Arsenal signed shirt kindly donated by Gez ‘Davidoff’ Tracy, and a further 42,000 baht for the lovely diamond and gold ear-rings donated by Bob van Mol of Vina Star Diamonds.

Can you believe the Grand Raffle tickets were sold out, thus putting the final piece of the Jesters ‘Care for Kids’ Charity Drive jigsaw in place? The 4 million baht plus raised in 2003 was already an impressive achievement, but with all the experience of previous years, the committee teamwork of Jesters and ‘honorary’ Jesters working together, the wonderful support of all the Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and individual sponsors, the Pledge program, Erik Sorensen’s Trat to Pattaya marathon bike ride, and everyone who attended the Children’s Fair and Pub Night, the expectation for 2004 was great.

And justly so, as over 5 million baht has been raised this year. That opens the door for even more help to be given to this year’s beneficiaries, and more to be considered in the future.

Why? To do what the Jesters ‘Care for Kids’ Charity Drive sets out to do, to benefit ‘Kids in Want, Kids at Risk, and Kids in Need of our Help’. In 2004 the committee, with your help, is proud to continue doing it.

For the Grand Raffle and Charity Auction results, plus a list of generous beer sponsors

Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive 2004 Beer Sponsors

Alan, Gary Norton (c/o Bob Barton), Little Jim, Pitsanu Krotha, Alan Earhart, Gene Rondinelli, Lollipop, Pook & Lonnie, Alan Howarty, Geoff Lever, Lord Nelson Pub, Queen Vic, Alan Kane (Slug), Geoff Lloyd, Lou, Ray Manao, Andre Sampson, George, Lou Holub, Rene Bato, Anthony Tester, Gerry, Lovely Lady, Renegade MC, B-52 Bar Bangkok, Goldfinger’s, Low Ball Diamond, Rich Wibsey, Barracuda Bar, Gold’s Place, Macca, Richie Heaton, Benny the Nerd, Graham, Mad Dog MC, Richy, Bernie Scullion, Hank Brittain, Malcom Clare, Rob Kennedy, Big Dave, Harley Pub, Mark Gorda, Robbie Benett, Big Jim, Harry Patterson, Mark Johnson, Rock N Roll Larry, Biker Bob, Heidi, Mark Meuhr, Roger Khoenler, Bill, Hogs Breath, Matt Millar, Ronin, Black Rose MC, Howie, Michael, Rosie O Grady, Blind Beggar Jomtien, Hub, Michael Helms, Sally Bar, Bob & Pen, I Care for Kids, Mike, Samson, Bob Barton, Ian Halfpenny, Mike & Vic, Samurai MC, Bob Van Mol, Jack Tar Bar, Mike Reed, Sara Carrol, Bobby Clark, James Millar, Mitchel Sandbrook, SCE, Bobby Joe, James Vass, Moonshine Place, Scotty @ Shenanigans, Bowling Green, Jeff C face, MSC Boys, Shark Pub, Brendan, Jeff Ramsey, Munch Shack, Shenanigans, Brian Eamore, Jeremy Quinn, Nacker, Siaak, Butterfly Bar, Jimbo, Nagas MC, Simon Coulson, Caf้ Kronborg, Jimmy, Nan, Stephen Martin, Chaplins Bar, Jimmy H., Nathawat Eueivatikaol, Steve Morrell, Chicklet, Jiripan Suansakeaw, Neil, Steve Nahoum, Crown Royal, Joan Earl, Neil Jolin, Steve Wilkins, Daid, Joe Quirke, Nick K., Stevie Nutall, Dang Guest House, John Earl, Nicky Findlater, Sumara Rengiitrofon, Danny C., John Garden, Nirvana, Supharam Trading, Darren, John Mariko, Nok # 10, Terry, Dave Mackie, John Tannenbaum, Northland, Texas USA, Dave TQ, Jon Fox, Nut, TG Bar, David # 1, Jurg Weiemmann, NYPD # 1458, Tha Millar, David # 2, Kai, Lasse, Tasse, OLG, Thai Asia Pacific Brewery Co., DM Property Co., Kavila Songkran, Ott, The Boys from Barreto, Dobsey, Kavin, Papa San, Tim Sheckles, Doug Bramley, Keith Glover, Patsy, Tom Cooper, Douglas Millar, Ken Conde, Paul Baxter, Tonnye, Drunks and Dare-a-lick, Kevin, Paul Moore, Tony Woods, Ed, Kevin R.Smith, Paul Shortino, Uncle Tom, Ed Behr, Kimo, Paul Shortino, Valentine Guest House, Edward, King Kong, Penka Chitrachaenh, Valentines, Eve Khamhimtang, Kiwi Bill, Perkins, Walsh Enterprises, Fhon, Lady Kangaroo, Peter Chan, Wayne Crowley, Frank and Dave, Lawrence, Philip Wightman, Werner, Frank Mitchell, Liberty Mansions, Phill Dunn, Wherehouse, Freeway, Lion Bar, PI Runner, Wild N Crazy, G Spot, Lion Bar Charlie, Pig & Whistle, X-Lax, YC Lee