That. Was. Incredible.

Just a short blog today.  I found the notes for my speech this morning.  A lot of positive things should have been said about Tony (one of the nicest CQN’ers I’ve met, and I’ve lots of great CQN’ers), Jim (more committed to the welfare of others than he would be comfortable you knowing), and David (combines the cynicism you can only get by spending 30 years in the publishing business with an often incomprehensive enthusiasm and positivity).  Three people who make things happen.

The CQN Golf Committee have organised nine incredibly taxing CQN Charity Opens, which seems to require an addition to stress, as they clearly thrive on it.

I got my timing all wrong when I set the whisky auction to end at noon yesterday as I was otherwise engaged until late afternoon, when things were getting a bit hectic, but with minutes to go, E (abbreviated) stepped in with what was an opening and winning bid of £550.  The money is already with Mary’s Meals.  My thanks to E and to A Ceiler Gonof Rust, who donated the prize.

None of us had any experience at organising this kind of event.  You think all you need is a mic. and a few speakers!  I asked Phil Agnew if he would do the raffle and auction for us.  He ended up supplying what would have been thousands of pounds worth of consultancy, which saw us over the line, wouldn’t take a penny for his trouble and provided a print signed by Henrik Larsson from his daughter.  They are a family with a long-established link to Mary’s Meals.

The quality and sheer volume of donations for auction and raffle overwhelmed us. We made a call that it was probably wise to limit the number of items we put up last night, and hold some for a later date – all will go towards Mary’s Meals. Thanks to everyone who came forward.

These are just the thanks I didn’t get to last night, more to come.

I’ve no idea how much money you raised yet but I am sure the cash is in to build the second and third school kitchens.  Within weeks your buildings will be feeding circa 2700 of the poorest children on the planet.  That.  Is.  Incredible!  Well played CQN.

I’m not going to pester you to read the Magazine or buy the Seville book today, but the MyDonate like to Marys’ Meals……