The Cayman Islands Olympic Fundraising Committee has another invaluable fun-filled function this weekend to raise money for athletes for the London Games next year.
Organised by Betty Baraud, chair of the fundraising committee and her hard working backup team of women, it’s at the splendid LUCA Restaurant on West Bay Road and titled Royal Ascot, replicating the grand horse racing week in the United Kingdom. It will be in similar style to the highly successful Project Runway and Rolling the Dice at Caesars Palace events.
This event will feature two royal enclosures, occupied by lookalike British celebrities, VIPs and, of course, the newly married Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William and fully staffed with butlers.
Champagne and great wines will be flowing throughout the evening. Whilst VIPs are free to venture out onto the grounds and mingle with the crowd, outsiders will have to be invited to enter these enclosures, which are set up to accommodate and cater to a private party of ten.
Horse racing, a live auction with many interesting items, including opening ceremony and event tickets to the 2012 Olympics, a lovely English Ascot themed dinner of cold cucumber soup, poached salmon, roast English lamb and homemade mint sauce paired with some superb wines, will make this another unique occasion.
Highlight will be a special appearance by Rod Stewart (Keith Griffin), who will perform during dinner and the presentation to the winner of the Royal Ascot Cup, the envy of the event.
The attire for the evening, if preferred, is the full Monty, top hats and tails for men, with beautiful hats and fascinators for women. The couple wearing the most unique and authentic attire will win a fabulous prize, as well as a prize for the best dressed single lady and the best dressed single man.
Entertainment is provided by the internationally renowned European group, One World. For the finale? Well, be there to witness, who knows, the evening skies could be aglow with fireworks, or an impromptu appearance by Paul McCartney (Papi Connolly)!
The general public will have a rare opportunity to bid on the much sought after silver events ticket package to the 2012 Games, which includes accommodation at the four star Novetel Hotel in London, opening ceremony tickets and event tickets to beach volleyball, equestrian, swimming, gymnastics and hockey. All of this during the first six days of the Games. A majority of items will be up for grabs in a bidding frenzy.
Betty Baraud said: “We are inviting the entire community to come out and support us. We have the potential this time round to possibly have as many as seven athletes qualify for the London Games but they need the help of everyone.”
Baraud welcomed two new silver sponsors recently, Kensington Management and Cayman National Group, both giving $5,000. Claudia Weld, Cayman National’s senior executive of corporate communications, said: “Cayman National is pleased to be on board again as a silver sponsor in support of the campaign for the 2012 Games.
“As a long time supporter of the Olympic committee, we are have always been proud of the efforts and accomplishments of our teams who represented the Cayman Islands in the Games – and pledge our continued support these efforts.”
Baraud said: “Cayman National have stepped up to the plate annually to contribute to our fundraising efforts on behalf of the athletes. Their significant contributions over the years have played a major role in assisting the athletes in their training and development, for which we are most grateful.
“We are also encouraging the community to join us in congratulating Ronald Forbes, who through sheer dedication and commitment to training and participating in the many events, has now qualified for the 2012 Olympics.
“This is great news for the Cayman Islands having just seen Jessica McTaggart qualify in equestrian for the Pan American Games in October. This is the first time we are seeing an equestrian possibility for the Cayman Islands, so let’s band together during the next 12 months and do our part in supporting our athletes. We are urging everyone to join us on 17 June at LUCA where you will have a fun evening, while supporting a most worthy cause.”
All proceeds as well as from all future events leading up to the Games will be presented monthly, under the supervision of the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee to athletes preparing for the London Games. Current sponsors of the Royal Ascot, besides Cayman National Group and Kensington Management, are Transocean Inc, Highlander and PwC.
Tickets can be purchased at Baraud International, Nicole Wild at [email protected], or any committee member. Hats for the event can be purchased from local milliner, Laura Anderton 916-7754
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