We Announce Our Charity For 2016
It’s that time of year when we announce our charity for 2016. It is always a tough decision as there are so many deserving charities around but this year we really have latched onto a winner.
Some weeks ago I noticed that one of our new followers on twitter was @scottdawsonswim. When I clicked on this page it become apparent that Scott Dawson was planning to swim non-stop, unaided, around the Isle of Wight in August 2016 for charity. This is approx. 60 miles and only 4 people have ever achieved it.
My first thought was how crazy, my next thought was what can we do to help? I love crazy people and I admire people who get off their bums, get outside their comfort zone, and do something special. I also love swimming and love the Isle of Wight so it was a no brainer. Vanilla had to be part of this!
I contacted Scott, met up with him and his lovely wife Polly and we are pleased to announce Scots swim and his charities are our Charity of the Year 2016 . For every guest invited to a wedding or dinner that Vanilla cater for we will donate 20p to Scotts swim. Scott is splitting the money between two very different charities, Meningitis Now and the Marine conservation society.
Meningitis Now is the first meningitis patient group in the world, founders of the meningitis movement and the only charity dedicated to fighting meningitis in the UK. www.meningitisnow.org/Charity
The Marine Conservation Society champions the need for marine wildlife protection, sustainable fisheries and clean seas and beaches. MCS's vision is for seas rich in wildlife, abundant fish stocks and pollution free beaches and bathing waters - seas that are fit for wildlife to thrive in and for people to enjoy www.mcsuk.org
The MCS is very close to my heart as whilst sailing up the Red Sea a few years ago with my hubby, we dropped anchor to shelter from the famous Northerlies. Here in a deserted Marsa we came across a Turtle entwined in fishing wire. To be able to save that turtle and release it back into the ocean was one of the highlights of my trip and something I will never forget, so that is the picture of the little guy on my twitter feed !
Scott’s website is www.swimiow.com, have a look and follow his challenge. We will of course be feeding him along the way too so I have my chefs developing bespoke high energy food items as we speak.
We will shortly be announcing a charity dinner to raise money too, which includes an auction of some wonderful prizes as well as a fabulous Hampshire bespoke menu designed by my Executive Head Chef Lee Butler
Dig deep, follow Scott’s progress and keep checking back here for updates. It’s a mammoth task and he needs your support.
