A phenomenal £7,000 was raised at a dinner dance held by Chance to Dance Stars CIC, Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Keith Baker MBE’s charity for his mayoral year. More than two hundred residents from Wokingham Borough, Bracknell and beyond put on their best gowns and tuxedos for the sold-out event on Saturday 19 March 2022 at the grade II listed Sindlesham Court.
All money raised goes to Chance to Dance Stars CIC, a dance school for students with disabilities and their families in the local community.
Upon arrival, guests were greeted with an arrival drink. The evening was opened by a performance of Hairspray’s ‘You can’t stop the beat’ by Chance to Dance Stars CIC’s wheelchair group.
Special guest performance
A special performance by X-Factor singer Danyl Johnson also took place with the star performing a variety of songs.
Fundraising events
Fundraising events took place including a raffle, a silent and a live auction.
The raffle prizes included meals at Red Rose Indian, Cozze Restaurant, The Waterside Pub, Maya’s Treats, Hamlet, Jalpari Tandoori, Oakman Group, Bombay Story, Adda Hut, Hong Kong Garden, Burattas at The Royal Oak, plus vouchers at Parrot Studio, The Nail Bar, Homes and Gifts and R Young Art.
The silent auction included prizes of a Harvey Nicholas chocolate hamper, a pamper hamper, 1979 vintage port, a watch, a La’De Kitchen Woodley gift voucher and champagne signed by former Prime Minister Theresa May.
The live auction included donated prizes at The Thames Lido, Butlins, The Playden Oasts Inn, Strange the Jewellers, Getty Images, Marsham Court Hotel, a signed limited edition painting from Castle Fine Art and a flying lesson at White Waltham Airfield.
Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Keith Baker MBE said: “The event was hugely successful and I am delighted that so many people dressed up to attend the Dinner Dance. I am amazed at the generosity of residents in Wokingham Borough, Bracknell and beyond to support such a wonderful charity.
“A huge thank you to the wonderful Chance to Dance Stars’ dancers and Danyl Johnson who provided show-stopping performances. My extended thanks goes to all those who contributed such wonderful prizes and a huge well done and thank you to Chance to Dance Stars CIC who have organised this exceptional event.”
Chance to Dance Stars CIC founder Victoria Andrews said: “I am humbled by the generosity and support of our community. The event was such a success and the atmosphere through the evening was bubbly, full of laughter and happiness.
“I want to thank all those who attended and who donated funds and gifts. Thank you to my dancers Zoe, Olivia and Hope, to the Mayor for choosing us as his Charity of the Year, and to Danyl Johnson for getting the party started. Lynda and I are so impressed with how well the event went and we really hope you will all join us again to celebrate ten years at Sindlesham Court in 2023.”
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