Belinda Graham-Rack is a trustee of the Cranleigh Foundation and has organised its fundraising events, such as the Christmas Cranleigh Fair and Balls. Here Belinda describes what parts go into the making of hosting a spectacular fundraising ball.
The Cranleigh Summer Ball will be the ninth fundraising Ball that I’ve helped to organise and, over the years, I have become aware that these events are nothing without the amazing volunteers who put in hours of work to ensure the success of the night and to whom I and the Foundation owe a huge debt of gratitude.
So, where do you start with a Ball?
First, get your team together of people who are ‘doers’, and who have a passion for the charity and for producing a first class night for guests.
Secondly, sponsorship.
When I tell people that their ticket price doesn’t actually cover them being at the event, they are usually disbelieving. The costs of staging a top notch fundraising Ball in a marquee are extremely high, and the ticket price does not cover the cost of the guest attending. We rely on attracting sponsors who either sponsor the whole event, or elements of it. Cranleigh doesn’t allow advertising in any of its publications, or on its websites, so it’s a unique opportunity for sponsors to be able to be associated with a Cranleigh event.
Once we have the sponsors, we appoint caterers, vintners, marquee suppliers, entertainers, electricians, loos and the myriad other elements that make up a great night.
Finally, we start selling tickets – and we’re delighted that this year’s Spectacular Summer Ball has attracted over 660 guests.
Next, we go out to source auction prizes.
Over the years, Cranleigh parents have been incredibly generous, donating holidays on their yachts, in their gorgeous holiday homes, debenture tickets to events, and many ‘money can’t buy’ experiences, such as a tour of the ITN studios with Mark Austen. Our guests in turn are incredibly generous in their bids: the highest selling auction prize at any event I’ve organised was an autographed cricket bat owned by Don Bradman which sold for a fantastic £20k.
We’re currently looking for auction prizes for this year’s Summer Ball and would be extremely grateful if you are able to help – please email me on bgr@cranleigh.org to let me know.
We also sell advertising in the glossy Ball programme which is given to all guests, and still have some space for this year.
On the night, there is a real buzz as everyone comes along to enjoy a fabulous night. All our fundraising comes from people’s generosity on the night, and we rely on the games such as Heads and Tails and the raffle, together with the auction and alcohol sales to provide us with much needed support for the charity.
It’s going to be marvellous to be able to celebrate in style on the Jubilee weekend, and we very much hope that our guests will be generous, and that it will be a humdinger of a result for the Cranleigh Foundation!
