A glamorous ‘Diamond Jubilee’ themed charity event which took place on Wednesday, June 20 at the Mount Nelson Hotel and was organised by the Adele Searll 100 Club, raised much needed funds for bursaries aimed at future tertiary learners. The evening took the form of a gala dinner in the hotel’s ballroom and part of the format of the event was an auction facilitated by celebrity auctioneer and CEO of the ClareMart Auction Group, Jonathan Smiedt, who generously donated his skills to the night’s fund-raising pursuits.
The event was a truly red carpet affair with local and international philanthropists and socialites, politicians, media giants and fashion aficionados in attendance. The exceptionally well-heeled turnout of 200 guests was most generous and dug deep in support of reaching the Club’s aims for the night.
The range of sponsors who donated and the items that were on auction reflected the tone of the event and many lots on the roll saw some rather heated and exciting bidding. Items donated included dinner vouchers at top Cape restaurants, four ball golf vouchers at exclusive estates, a luxury boat cruise for six along the Camps Bay and Clifton route and jewellery and clothing by top local designers. The highlight of the evening’s bidding was certainly the Cape Town to Pretoria journey for two on the Rovos Rail which achieved the highest realisation of all lots.
Local MEC for Education, Donald Grant as well as the former Viscountess Althrope, Victoria Aitken, and South Africa’s “Queen of the Media” Jane Raphaely, Editor of Associated Press Magazines, were just a few names who added a sheen of celebrity to the black tie fund-raiser Jubilee dinner.
“Our Group was proud as always to assist in philanthropical pursuits which we consider a part of our social responsibility. We have long running relationships with many charity organisations in South Africa and we hope to lend our skills to the fund raising endeavours of the Adele Searll 100 Club in the future. The club has dramatically changed the lives of 120 bursary recipients and we are honoured to have played a part in this noble achievement” adds Smiedt.
