In a "Dragons' Den" style format, CCF invited five small Cambridgeshire charities to pitch for donations from an audience of wealthy individuals and companies. After the five pitches, the charity representatives left the room, and former High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, Richard Barnwell DL, used his auctioneer's skills to drum up donations.
In just half an hour over £15,000 was raised for the five charities, including several donations from Mills & Reeve's charitable trust.
The event was attended by, among others, the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Hugh Duberly CBE.
Chris Belcher, trustee of CCF and partner at Mills & Reeve said: “This was a really fun event, for such good causes and it has been an honour to host them at our new office. The Cambridgeshire Community Foundation helps donors to learn about and support local charitable causes that are of interest to them.”
The five charities involved were: Link to Change, who work with children and young people aged 12 to 25 years who are at risk of, or involved in, sexual exploitation or trafficking; Ely Foodbank, a ground-breaking concept designed to help individuals and families in crisis by providing free emergency food; Lifecraft, set up to provide workshops for people who experience mental distress; Harston & District Warden Scheme, which provides the services of a daily visit of a community Warden to the elderly and infirm of the Parish Haslingfield; and FACET (Fenland Area Community Enterprise Trust), who work with 95 adults with learning and other disabilities, providing training in independent living skills and skills for working life, 50 weeks of the year.
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If you would like to find out more about CCF please go to www.cambscf.org.uk or contact Chris Belcher on 01223 222618 or chris.belcher@mills-reeve.com
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