The Cayman Islands Olympic Fundraising Committee gave their sponsors and supporters another intoxicating evening of fun, with the Royal Ascot theme event at the beautiful Luca Restaurant last Friday.
Royal Ascot is the English horse racing event that is synonymous with royalty, style and fashion as much as the races themselves. The Cayman version opened to a packed house and high energy, with guests parading throughout the evening with creative fascinators, top hats, tails and jockey outfits. The event was a sell out with nearly 200 in attendance.
The evening was so fully charged, not even the threat of rain could dampen the excitement and the spirit of the evening and the special appearance by both Sir Paul McCartney, aka Papi Connolly and Rod Stewart (Keith Griffin), added humour to the already boisterous atmosphere.
Like the Dice at Caesars Palace, there is no doubt that this outstanding event, another creative theme of Betty Baraud and her team of ladies, will be the fundraising event of the year, both in fun and with the committee meeting their fundraising goal for the evening.
All funds raised will be given to the Olympic hopefuls – as many as seven athletes – to assist with their on-going training and preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Payouts to the athletes will be done in intervals and under the supervision and direction of the executive body of the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee.
On hand to present the coveted Ascot Cup was Premier McKeeva Bush. Also supporting this great occasion was Mike Adams, minister of community affairs and housing and Olympic Committee president Donald McLean who gave the audience an insight of what it takes to prepare athletes for this ultimate international sporting arena.
The emcee for the evening was the phenomenal Max Hellier, who ensured the audience was kept fully entertained. The auction, which saw items from dinner for six at Blue, which went for over $2,000, with the auctioneer for this item being Guntram Merl, of the Ritz-Carlton, to a gold package to the Olympics, which went for $13,500.
The races were officiated by John Wagner who made sure those bids kept coming in.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by DJ Craig of One World, who kept guests dancing until closing time.
Whilst the names of all sponsors and donors were shown on a large screen and monitors throughout the evening, chairperson Betty Baraud, never failed to recognise each sponsor by name and give thanks and appreciation for their support to the athletes and to the event. The committee who worked tirelessly to make this a success was recognised for doing a stellar job on another successful event.
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