Open Road’s Charity Ball raises over £10k!
Open Road, the Colchester-based charity that supports individuals and families with addiction issues, held its grand Charity Ball amid the beautiful surroundings of The Talbooth in Dedham recently. Over 100 guests attended the event and enjoyed a three course meal, a grand raffle, a spectacular charity auction and music, with dancing, from the superb local duo, The Jentones. Guests of Honour included David Hurst, the High Sheriff of Essex, Bridie Ashrowan, co-founder of Open Road, and Laura Swash who had flown in from Portugal for the event with her husband, Uwe.
Tim Young was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening and Martin Lucas was a fabulous auctioneer. Bridie Ashrowan spoke lovingly about how she had handed over a delicate and fragile organisation to Sarah Wright, the current Chief Executive, over thirty years ago and expressed her pride in seeing it grow into the organisation it is today providing support and services right across Essex and Medway in Kent. Laura Swash sold several signed copies of her memoir, ‘Holding Your Breath’ about her brother’s struggles with addiction. Laura and her husband, Uwe, are doing a sponsored skydive for Open Road in January despite having a combined age of 153! They are pictured enjoying the last dance as The Jentones played on especially just for them. The event was a great success and raised well over £10k for Open Road.
Sarah Wright, Chief Executive of Open Road, said, “It was a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable evening. We’d like to thank all our guests for attending and for their generosity. Everyone involved in the planning of the event deserves our thanks and praise and special mentions must go to The Jentones for the wonderful music and Paul Milsom and his staff at The Talbooth for their service and hospitality.”
Photos show several guests enjoying the evening including Open Road staff, Bridie Ashrowan and her family, Laura Swash with Uwe and family & friends, Tim Young and Nicola Goodchild.
