Andre
Brulhart, general manager of Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya,
addresses the gathering.
Joe Quennell
The annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony was held
inside the Grand Lobby of Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, Soi
18 Naklua, on Friday 9th December. It was posted as being the final
Christmas fundraiser of the year for Melissa Cosgrove Children’s
Foundation (MCCF). Most definitely this was a red carpet event with lots
of glitz and glamour.
Christmas is recognised as being a time of giving,
and Tracy Cosgrove, the driving force behind MCCF, announced the
sponsors dug so deep into their pockets that 100% of the 1500 baht
ticket price went direct to the charity.
Rattanachai Sutidechanai,
Pattaya’s Tourism and Sports Committee Chairman.
Andre Brulhart, general manager of Centara Grand
Mirage was on hand for conversation, photos, and interviews. He was
supported by Sunee Vaemanee, the resort’s public relations manager, to
ensure things ran smoothly, which they did.
Tracy and her daughter Melissa explained that the
money raised would be going towards a new project located on Jomtien 2nd
Road, to create a safe environment at a day care centre for the children
of construction workers. Seventy five children are already listed for
help, with up to two hundred expected in the future.
CES - Equipment & Tools for Professionals were very
generous sponsors, and their sales manager, Pachararat Tanasetpiwat, who
kindly used her nickname Jackie, ably represented the company for those
who need industrial cranes.
‘Santa Bill’ Francis made a wonderful appearance,
putting smiles on the faces of children, mums, and dads alike. As well
as Christmas carols I heard him singing ‘We Love PMTV’!
(L to R) Panadda
Wongpoodee, MC and Miss Thailand 2000; Andre Brulhart, General Manager
of Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya; Tracy Cosgrove, Founder of
Melissa Cosgrove Children’s Foundation; Rattanachai Sitthidechanai,
Pattaya’s Tourism and Sports Committee Chairman; Jackie Pachararat,
Sponsor Representative from main sponsor of CES Equipment & Tools for
Professionals; and Bill Francis as Santa Clause all take part in
lighting up the Christmas tree.
An auction with John Collingborne on the stage
excited the crowd, with bidding for a night in a Centara Grand
presidential suite, along with 120,000 baht, plus dinner for six people,
reached fever pitch, as John banged his gravel to the highest bidder
Kevin Fisher, managing director of CEA at 60,000 baht.
Tracy Cosgrove says that every bit of help, big or
small, is a link in the chain. This in turn helps her to help others.
She wishes each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas.
