“Dad and I were talking as to how we could add to the upcoming ball in aid of raising funds towards the building of a new pre-school, which at the end of the day will in some way will most likely benefit most families in Forbes,” Amy Shine, Director of the Forbes Pre-School said yesterday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“We decided on a scheme where we invited, or more directly asked, noted citizens from the business sector of town to raise additional funds towards the building project.
“Our plan was simple, each of our ‘invited’ celebrities were locked-up so to speak, guaranteeing to raise an additional $500 each from their business associates.
“Adding to the challenge, if our ‘invited guests’ don’t deliver they will attend the ball handcuffed to their partner.
“At the end of the day it’s all a bit of fun and what is raised can only add to what we aim to raise from the ball,” Ms Shine said.
With her father Barry the manager editor of the Forbes Advocate, he was naturally first to be nominated.
It only took the one phone call for Barry to secure his $500 ‘bail’.
“When Amy mentioned that I be part of the fund raiser I thought, ‘that’s a lot of chook raffles,” Barry said.
“But thinking further I thought my ‘big boss’, Sandra Chambers, who is now General Manager NSW South for Fairfax Regional Media, could help.
“I made the phone call and help she certainly did.
“Sandra commented that Fairfax, as a company, is well known for its continuing support of community activities.
‘’We take great pride in the continuing progress of the towns in which we operate,’’ she said.
Sandra was only too happy to support the fundraising idea offering $500 for the handcuff proposal and another $250 if I can keep quiet for a while and get the papers out on time which will be well received by all readers.
“I cannot thank Sandra enough for her support,” Barry said.
Other prominent business people who have been ‘invited’ to raise the target of $500 include Sarah Hazell, Caroline Ridley, Andrew Walker, Tim Mackay, Nick Field, Jeff Nicholson and Peter Johnson.
While there have been monies raised there naturally is a short fall of monies received towards the cost of construction of a new Nelson Park development.
“The ball is open to all, our kids of today will be the parents of those attending in the next 15 to 20 years and after,” Ms Shine said.
With a target of between $20,000 and $30,000 the ball offers a great night’s entertainment and the chance to dress up, be social, have fun and dance the night away.
Date for the ball is Saturday, May 25 at the Forbes Town Hall.
Guests will receive champagne on arrival, entertainment by Gabe Middleton of Orange, a charity auction under the hammer of Randal Grayson while catering will be by Eat Your Greens.
Tickets for the ball are now available from Blue Sky Outdoors, Forbes Advocate and News On Rankin.
Cost of individual tickets is $70 while sales of 10 tickets in one transaction has reduction of $10 to $60 each.