About a month ago Tracy Cosgrove from the Melissa Cosgrove Children’s Foundation was told of the horrifying attack of a British man employed by the Regents School, Pattaya. Adam Picklea was left comatose by the side of the road after an unprovoked attack and was taken to Bangkok Hospital Pattaya’s ICU.
Tracy went to the hospital and met up with Adam’s parents a few days after they arrived in Pattaya and learned that the Thai insurance provided by the school would not cover his hospital bill; in fact, by the end of the repatriation it only covered 5% of the bill.
Tracy Cosgrove (2nd left) and Andrew & Adele Pickles (center) pose with the chefs that made the charity evening great.
For their first port of call, Tracy’s staff got in touch with Pattaya City Hall who in turn made a donation of 20,000 baht to kick start the fund. After a few brainstorming sessions, she contacted some of Pattaya’s 5 star hotels and asked them to let their chefs put on a gourmet dinner with the venue to be announced. From 10 June wheels were set into motion for a Chefs Gala Dinner at the Hilton Hotel Ballroom.
The amount of work that followed was unbelievable; not only did all Pattaya’s chefs get together, the chefs of Pattaya Chefs Society contacted their suppliers as far a field as Bangkok, told them the story of Adam and soon ingredient lists were coming in fast and furious to Thai Chef Sam’s desk (executive Chef from All Seasons Pattaya). This was kick started by local supplier KPK who said they would donate beef tenderloin.
Adele Pickles, Tracy Cosgrove and Andrew Pickles display some of the items up for auction, all paintings supported by Peter Banner..
Tracy says Sheraton’s executive chef, Spencer Kells, was the backbone of the effort, as he coordinated the chefs, dealt with the million and 10 emails, and placed all the hotels into teams of two, who then had to come up with a spectacular dish made with the ingredients available.
The aim was not to have to buy anything, and to be able to donate all proceeds from ticket sales to the Adam Pickles Fund. Tickets were designed free of charge from a staff member at Compass, volunteers rustled up, business contacted for raffle and auction prizes. The Hilton’s executive chef gave over control of his kitchen to 7 more chefs from the Sheraton, Dusit Thani, Amari, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Centara Mirage, Pullman G, and an army of Thai chefs from many other hotels.
Tina Hager and Maria Mulberry donate money to Adele & Andrew Pickles.
It all came together June 21, when the Chefs Association began with a canapé buffet in the reception area of the beautifully decorated Hilton Ballroom, where 230 guests took their places. Food was served by service staff from all the hotels; entertainment was provided by an MC from the Hard Rock Hotel, Mary and her friends who were amazing, and all gave up their time for free. Beautiful violinist Chatwilai Maunprasert played during the reception and when guests were walking to the ballroom.
Tracy said a word of welcome, together with Adam’s father and Chef Spence from the Sheraton Hotel. The room looked amazing, and the staff, who had never worked together before, all worked like clock work. Each hotel had their serving staff dressed in the hotel uniform and it was truly a full team effort.
Papinun Chaithaweewaranon, Suchada Malarak, Natwara Amatyakul and Lawrence Knowles from Blue Sky Developer Co., Ltd.
During dessert an amazing array of goods were up for auction, ranging from a bronze Buddha donated by Thai Decor, 2 nights in the Composers Suite of the Hard Rock Cafe and various sporting and art memorabilia.
The raffle raised an amazing 91,000 baht and prizes included nights at the Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok, Four Seasons Pattaya, dinner vouchers from Rabbit Resort, Mata Hari and Casa Pascal.
Steph & Brent Cockerill, Wiki Hamilton and Nici Taylor.
Thanks to all volunteers, especially the chefs, an amazing 600,000 baht plus was raised. Final figures will be available after the auction items have been paid for.
One of the lovely things that came out of this Tracy says is when one of the Thai chefs said, “I have heard about people doing things for charity before but now I understand how we can all make a difference and in my heart I feel happy to be part of this.”
Another said, “Just think now, Adam is laying in his hospital bed and there are over 300 people all thinking about him. That has to be good …”
Tracy handed over the money to Adele and Andrew Pickles on Saturday. It’s been an emotional few weeks but at least the Pickles can go back knowing Pattaya Cares. This money was used to go towards Adam’s hospital bill in Pattaya and the fundraising will continue.
Yvonne Ziegler, Spencer Kells, and Siti Survo.
On Sunday Adam was flown home to Leeds Hospital in a special plane with an ICU unit on board.
At the end of the day, the Pattaya community all got together and made a difference to show we care. Over the last few weeks there have been several different events held by different groups of people to raise money for Adam’s cause.
To follow more news on Adam’s progress and the fund raising going on around the world, visit Adam Pickles fund raising Facebook page.
Nattaphong Yoomuenawai, Wanassanan Intamon, Thanida Mongkonwutthidaj and Budsaba Malinon, all from Kim Chua Group Co., Ltd.
John Collingbourne and Yada Ruairuen from Collingbourne Auctioneers, toast with Roger Mynott, owner of Thai Decor Company and Somnuk Tunkratok.
Santa Bill Francis, Ketkaow Siriporntum and Peter Heselwood.
Virginia Sorensen, Kamolthep Malhotra, and Kannikar Ottesen are certainly enjoying the evening.
Ib Ottesen, Jack Larsen and Kurt Pepersen.
Dr. Jan Chris Von Koss, Jane Bailey and Dieter Reigber.
Jonathan Gibbons, Mark Bowling and Terrence Allen Collins.
