Midsummer Ball : 10 June 2005

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Supporters of The Ireland Fund of Great Britain gathered once again at London’s most prestigious gala venue, The Dorchester Ballroom, to celebrate our 17 th Midsummer Ball. The guest of honour and recipient of The Ireland Fund’s Bird & Bell Award this year was Keith Wood – internationally renowned rugby player, respected broadcaster, businessman and tireless fundraiser for charities in Ireland and abroad.

Guests at the event were warmly welcomed by The Chairman of The Ireland Fund of Great Britain, Mr Peter Sutherland, who talked about the mission of The Ireland Funds. He went on to announce the development of a new Ireland Fund of Great Britain fundraising campaign dedicated to helping ‘The Lost Generation’ – those hundreds of thousands of Irish men and women who migrated to Britain between the 1950’s and 1970’s, sending home an estimated £3.5 billion (punts) during one of Ireland’s darkest periods. Many returned home but too many others were unable to return for many reasons. They remain in Britain, living in increasingly isolated and distressed circumstances.

The event was co-chaired by IFGB Council Members, Ivan Fallon and Paul Brennan, and the evening got off to a flying start with a Laurent Perrier & Guinness reception, sponsored by Putnam Lovell NBF. Independent News & Media produced and printed the event programme, which is designed to provide guests with information on the many projects supported by The Ireland Fund of Great Britain in the UK and Ireland. Dinner was followed by a lively auction which included a painting by the up and coming Irish artist Kate Dick, a couture hat by Philip Treacy, a week of pampering at the Reethi Rai One & Only spa resort in the Maldives, and VIP tickets to see U2 in Twickenham.

Within days of the Midsummer Ball, our indefatigable Chairman once again summoned his nine fellow Trustees to finalise the IFGB Trustee Designated - Northern Ireland Grant Round 2005. This year’s grant recipients in Northern Ireland are as follows:

• Ballybeen Women’s Centre
• Childline Northern Ireland
• The Care Centre
• First Steps Playgroup
• Greater Shantallow Community Arts/Golden Link Festival
• Helping Hands
• Mid Skegoneill Community Group
• Northern Ireland Outward Bound
• Stadium Youth & Community Centre
• Young at Art

In 2004 – 2005 The Ireland Fund of Great Britain has given just under £100 000 to projects based in Northern Ireland.

In 2004, The Ireland Fund of Great Britain distributed £135, 250 to projects in Great Britain and a further £505 664 to projects based in the Republic of Ireland.