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12 March 2007 SMC inaugural charity ball a great success More than 250 people helped family support charity Scottish Marriage Care (SMC) celebrate their inaugural Charity Ball at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel on Saturday 10th March. The event was a glittering success with guests participating in a range of activities, including a silent auction, to help raise almost £20,000. The money will be used to expand SMC's specialist children and young people's services, cover the cost of training 21 new counsellors and to establish services in locations where there is currently no service provision. MC Duncan Cameron hosted the event and special guests included MSP Margaret Mitchell, Celtic Chairman Brian Quinn and Church of Scotland Minister and Co-Honorary President of SMC Norman Shanks. "I am absolutely delighted, the event was a great success. It was our first ever Charity Ball and we had hoped to raise £20,000. It looks as though we have hit that target which means we will be able to expand services to where they are desperately needed," said SMC Chief Executive Mary Toner. The top prizes included a painting generously donated by artist Dara Vallely and an exclusive weekend holiday package courtesy of British Airways. A Celtic gift pack including a 1967 Single Malt Whiskey commemorating Celtic's European Cup win and a limited edition print of Celtic's 'Lisborn Lions' signed by Billy McNeil and a Rangers gift pack including a ball and shirt signed by the 2007 team and a limited edition print signed by Walter Smith and Ally McCoist were also up for grabs. All the prizes attracted a great deal of interest and the bidding was as competitive as any old firm match! "A huge number of local and national businesses and many individuals generously donated prizes and sponsored various aspects of the night. We could not have achieved what we did without their generous support. I am also very grateful to the SMC staff, supporters and friends who gave their time and energy to ensuring the evenings success," said Mary Toner. The evening was a celebration of not just SMC but Scotland as well, with many in kilts, haggis on the menu and tablet for supper. In true Scottish style a ceilidh was then held and guests danced the night away. The event finally concluded around midnight with everyone in high spirits. "The event was such a success it will now become an annual fixture on the SMC calendar. I think we will take a few days to reflect and then start preparing for next year's Charity Ball, which we hope will be an even grander occasion," said Mary Toner. For further information, please contact: Mary Toner, Chief Executive Phone:0141-222 2166 |
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