Jesters Gala Party Night Rocks

For local children one of the most anticipated events of the year is the Jesters Children’s Fair and, for the adults, it is probably the Jesters Gala Party Night at the Amari Ocean Pattaya. This event, now in its 5th year, is a must for many. A combination of sumptuous food top class entertainment, free flowing wine and beer, an auction of interesting collectables and the drawing of the Grand Raffle winners makes for a busy and most enjoyable evening.

On arrival partygoers were welcomed in the foyer with background music, complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres supplied and served by the attentive Amari staff. On display was the feature prize in the grand raffle, a shiny new Honda PCX motor scooter. Jester’s committee members were kept busy checking admissions and selling raffle tickets to the arriving guests.

Jesters Care for Kids Chairman Lewis ‘Woody’ Underwood thanks the sponsors and gives the guests a brief insight into what has been achieved in the 18 years of Jesters.

Once inside the main hall, guests heard a welcoming address from Jesters chairman, Lewis “Woody” Underwood, who thanked sponsors and supporters, some whom have been on board since the Jesters journey began 18 years ago. Master of ceremonies, Paul Strachan, outlined the programme for the evening and announced the buffet open. While dining, guests were entertained by Paul and Keith, alternating at the keyboard, playing some easy-listening, soft jazz.

Later in the evening, the auction, conducted by Mark Rogers, took place, two sessions brief and hectic, as bidders vied for favored items. On offer were signed sporting memorabilia, instruments, and collectables from music greats, as well as handicrafts and artwork from other cultures. Most interest was generated by a signed shirt from football [soccer] legend Pele and a ceramic rose from the Tower of London [this commemorating the fallen from the First World War], both items creating a mini-bidding war of their own. The remaining items were disposed of by way of a silent auction.

This year’s entertainment was headed by an all girl band, Unicorn Girls from Bangkok, who kept the guests toe tapping until time for the drawing of the grand raffle for the feature prize, as usual, a gleaming new Honda PCX. Lucky winner of the first prize was Marcus, a Pattaya Mail photographer. Full details of the raffle appear on page 26.

With the business part of the evening over, our headliners, Unicorn Girls, ramped up the music a notch to get the dancers on the floor.

The funds raised at this event enable the Jesters Care for Kids to continue their work, assisting disabled and disadvantage children in our community and add to the 80+ million baht already distributed since the beginning. So to all who attended and those who supported in various ways a huge thank you from Jesters Care for Kids. See you again next year.

If you would like more information about this event and/or the charity drive, please go to www.care4kids.info and www.facebook.com/jesterscare.kids

This gentleman generously bid 37,000 baht for this ceramic poppy, which was one of 888,246 from a Remembrance Installation at the Tower of London in 2015.

Marcus Souksi from Pattaya Mail was the lucky winner of the grand prize in the Grand Raffle: A Honda PCX 150.

A last minute scramble for tickets for the Grand Raffle.

Something for all tastes at the sumptuous buffet at the Amari.

Debs Philbrook and Helle Rantsen man the ticket and registration table.

Murray & Karyn Walker take care of payments from the auction.

Smiles all round from these lovely ladies.

1st class entertainment from the all-girls band, Unicorn Girls from Bangkok.

Auctioneer Mark Rogers gives details of the Les Paul/Gibson guitar.

Pattaya Cricket Captain Simon Philbrook won a 40” Samsung TV in the Grand Raffle.

This signed Pele shirt raised 40,000 baht on the night.