University of Cambridge Catering Managers’ Committee raises more than £15,600 for local charities

March 20, 2023

The Catering Managers’ Committee (CMC) Biennial Charity Ball, held at King’s College in January 2023, successfully raised £15,616 for local charities – Cambridge Convoy Refugee Action Group and Arthur Rank Hospice Charity – who will each receive a donation of £7,808.

The CMC Charity Ball is a highlight of the College catering teams’ calendar. This year’s event attracted more than 230 guests who took part in a charity auction and raffle to help raise funds for these outstanding local charities.

Lee Corke, Chair of the CMC Charity Ball Committee, said: “The Charity Ball is a great way to raise monies for Charity and for the Catering Managers and their guests to have a memorable evening in one of the Cambridge Colleges. Our chosen Charities were The Cambridge Convoy Refugee Action Group and The Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

“The Ball this year took place at King’s College. A drinks reception was held in the Chapel with canapés and then a five-course dinner was cooked by the England National Culinary Team, supported by King’s College Chefs and Clare College Chefs. Monies were raised through a raffle, Heads and Tails and an auction. Later on in the evening, guests enjoyed a live band, disco and casino. Total monies raised were £15,616 which were split between each Charity. I would like to thank Rob Clark, Emma Hilditch from the committee and Susan Madden, Clare Timms and Nick Wilson from King’s College for all their support and hard work that made this event possible.”

Catharine Walston, Cambridge Convoy Refugee Action Group, said: “The CMC Charity Ball was the most magical event in a spectacular setting and fabulous food. We were thrilled, as a local volunteer-run organization, to be nominated as one of this year’s beneficiary charities and invited to attend. This wonderful result will enable us to fund more projects supporting displaced people in Europe, such as a mother and baby refuge in Athens or a dignity centre in Chisinau. We will also be able to pay to ship more donated clothing to Syrian refugees in Lebanon and enable more young people, including Cambridge students, to find out what volunteering abroad is like.”

Jodie Vaughan, from Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, said: “The evening was incredible from the talents of this fantastic catering team to the generosity of those in attendance, we were delighted to be part of this special occasion. The money raised will be used to support people, who are living with an advanced illness or approaching the end of life, across Cambridgeshire. Our vital care is delivered at our hospice in Cambridge, our centre in Wisbech, as well as in people’s own homes. We are reliant on the kindness of our community and this large sum will support a number of patients and their loved ones when they need it most. It is lovely to see events like these resuming and we’d like to congratulate all involved for their tremendous success.”