Stapleford Christmas Event
Stapleford Christmas Event
Stapleford Christmas Event
Stapleford Christmas Event
Stapleford Christmas Event
On Thursday 6th December, the Women in Philanthropy held
their Christmas event at Stapleford Park. This magnificent hotel country
park hosted the event free of charge to support the three 2018 WiP
charities, serving up prosecco, coffee and delicious cakes in their
glorious Grinling Gibbons restaurant.
Mike Kapur OBE Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire and Dr Sarah Furness
Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, who sits on the WiP Steering Group, attended
the event as well as guests from across the Leicestershire and Rutland
area as well as further afield, with some guests even travelling up from
London for the event.
Christmas had truly arrived at Stapleford Park; teddy bears lined the
stairs, garlands graced the staircases and Christmas trees gleamed in
the halls. Guests heard from Carolyn O’Sullivan, part of the Stapleford
Park team, about Stapleford’s upcoming projects and future plans.
A particular treat for guests was the opportunity to hear from the Women
in Philanthropy patron, the inspirational Jennifer Lady Gretton, who
took guests on a journey exploring the history of Stapleford Park to her
time living in this magnificent country house. Guests were particularly
intrigued by the magical stories of Lady Gretton’s restoration of the
miniature railway.
After this, guests heard from the three WiP groups of 2018 made
presentations about the inspirational work that they do each and every
day. Firstly, guests heard from Cas Beckett of First Step Leicester; an
organisation run for male survivors of sexual abuse and rape. Secondly,
guests heard from Michelle Calvert of the Park Lodge Project; a project
that provides safe and supported accommodation for young homeless people
between the ages of 16 and 25. Lastly, guests heard from Helen Carter
of the Wellbeing Café; a project that supports vulnerable people with a
range of mental health issues. All three groups made excellent and
engaging presentations and guests had a chance to ask questions and talk
to the groups during afternoon tea.
The Leicester Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation supports
the Women in Philanthropy and helped to organise the event at
Stapleford Park, along with members of the WiP Steering Group. Katy
Green of the LLR Community Foundation says “our local charitable and
voluntary groups work so hard – and so economically – to meet
local needs. They are often unsung and unseen; you won’t see appeals
from them on TV this Christmas. Yet without their dedication, our city
and counties would be so much the poorer. It is so fantastic to see the
intelligent support that WiP gives them and those they help to the
attention of a wide and influential audience.”
The next Women in Philanthropy event will be the end-of-year event at
Curve Theatre; the three charities will showcase their films. At this
event, the three 2019 charities will be announced to the audience.
