Beacon Rhythmic Gymnasts
Local children’s charity Charlie House welcomed over 350 people to its black-tie Big Build Ball at the AECC last week, Friday, December 7 to raise funds for its Big Build Appeal. The circus-themed event made over £60,000 profit, all of which will go to the charity’s fund for its 8-bedroom specialist support centre at Woodend Hospital.
The evening saw entertainment in the form of firebreathers and stilt walkers from Theatre Modo, performances by the Beacon Rhythmic Gymnasts, Danz Creations Performance Team and the Big Build choir and house band, a collective of local singers and musicians specially formed for the event.
The event saw hundreds of guests treated to an evening of fantastic entertainment, food and fundraising. Auction prizes included a winter retreat at Logie Country House for 8 people with an exquisite dinner prepared by Craig Wilson - The Kilted Chef, a ‘Behind the Ropes at the Scottish Open’ experience, a week’s accommodation in a Cyprus Villa and accommodation for 3 nights for up to 14 guests at Ballogie House. The package also included clay pigeon shooting for 4-8 guests, afternoon tea provided by Potarch Café & Restaurant and a decadent drinks reception and dinner hosted by Country Flavours of Alford.
Compere and auctioneer Alex Fleming set the tone of the evening with guests getting involved in a silent auction on bidding tablets and live main auction. The evening ended with guests dancing the night away to Scotland’s leading rock Ceilidh band Bahookie.
Susan Crighton, director of fundraising for Charlie House, says, “We are exceedingly grateful to our generous guests who attended the ball and were completely immersed in the event from start to finish. The team worked tirelessly to pull together such a spectacular event. The North-east have been so receptive to our plans and long-term vision for Charlie House Specialist Support Centre and that certainly showed last night.”
Susan continues, “All of the profits made at the ball will go directly to the Big Build Appeal and towards our £8million fundraising total for the Charlie House Specialist Support Centre.”
Helen Stuart, HR director at TAQA - who were one of the ball sponsors, says: “Supporting the communities in which we operate is an important part of our business.  Our employees selected Charlie House to be our charity of the year and, in addition, we were delighted to support the Big Build Ball. The ball was a great night of celebration, entertainment and dancing and it is fantastic that such a tremendous amount was raised, helping the charity to reach it’s £8million goal.” 
For further information on the Big Build Appeal or to donate visit https://www.charliehouse.org.uk/big-build-appeal/ or call the Charlie House team on 01224 313333.