ARK 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner

[wannable]

Apparently the brothers and Catherine will be on a charity gala Thursday, June 09, making it a very busy weekend.

ARK, the international children's charity, is delighted to announce that it will hold its 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner on Thursday 9 June, 2011.

ARK's guests of honour will be Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.  The Duke of Cambridge will also be our much esteemed keynote speaker, making this year's dinner a truly special event.  With Prince Harry, he is recognised around the world for his philanthropic drive and spirit, and his commitment to using his position to help the less fortunate.

Our after dinner entertainment will be provided by Mark Ronson & the Business Intl., and one of the world's most successful rock bands, to be announced on the night.

Over the past ten years, ARK's programmes in the UK, Southern Africa, eastern Europe and India have transformed the lives of more than 200,000 children. In tackling access to healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa, improving educational opportunities in the UK, US and India, and giving children the chance to live in a caring and nurturing environment in Eastern Europe, ARK is helping to overcome some of the most severe blights on children's lives.

But we must do more. Too many children are still suffering. ARK's mission to initiate and implement programmes that truly transform children's lives is as vital today as it was a decade ago.

http://www.arkonline.org/about-us/news/ark-10th-anniversary-gala-dinner
   

:thumbsup:

[karla64]

http://www.musicrooms.net/showbiz/34381-prince-william-to-make-charity-announcement.html

[missing diana]

I am disappointed that their first event together is a 10,000 pound a head fundraiser.  Yes money will be raised but it is really a glam party. 

I hope they do a walkabout school or hospital visit over the summer.

That being said, can't wait to see her outfit.

[MapleLeaf]

:flower: missing diana my comment isn't aimed at you, it's just a general observation; but I've never understood anyone's objections to charity fundraisers that involve glam dinner parties.  As far as I can tell, :shrug: those expensive dinner parties are a sure-fire way to raise large sums of money for needy charities, and I don't see how that could be a bad thing.

Sometimes it seems as if people think that in order to raise money for charity they have to do something that involves a hardship of some sort, or some sort of physical effort.  Physical hardships and physical efforts like running marathons or climbing mountains are great ways to earn money for charitable causes, but those methods aren't the only ones that raise money.  There are tonnes of ways to raise money for charity, and glamorous dinner parties might be different from the physical stuff, but they raise money too. 

The good thing about charge-per-plate charity dinners is that not only are large amounts of money raised at those events, but the people who attend get a chance to network and socialise with each other.  Charity dinners are places where the 'movers and shakers' can get together socially to possibly discuss the next charity event they plan to give their money to, not to mention broker deals to make even more money, some of which will go to even more charities.

Plus the people who attend usually get to see some sort of fun entertainment, eat good food and enjoy themselves, and at the end of the night everyone has gotten a positive benefit all the way around. :happy:

IMO anything that would involve me getting to wear a pretty outfit, eat good food, dance, watch entertainment and still give a large sum of money to charity is a win/win, :P especially if the food/dancing/entertainment is good!

[marine2109]

The Dukes of Cambridge will attend a gala dinner for development in his first public act as husband and wife

http://www.hola.com/noticias-de-actualidad/01-06-2011/83201/casasreales/

http://translate.google.com.tr/translate?hl=tr&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hola.com%2Fnoticias-de-actualidad%2F01-06-2011%2F83201%2Fcasasreales%2F

[wannable]

^^ I agree Mapleleaf.  Due to recession half of the U.K. charities are hit by lack of donations or are forced to close.  Any kind of legal event to make money for charities to keep on running is good in my books.

Thursday 9th June 2011
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will attend the 10th Annual ARK Gala Dinner, Perks Field, Kensington Palace.
Prince Harry will visit the annual Founder's Day parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/diary/thursday_9th_june_2011_893567864.html

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be at the ARK gala, whilst Prince Harry will be attending another event.

[Jenee]

:flower: missing diana my comment isn't aimed at you, it's just a general observation; but I've never understood anyone's objections to charity fundraisers that involve glam dinner parties.  As far as I can tell, :shrug: those expensive dinner parties are a sure-fire way to raise large sums of money for needy charities, and I don't see how that could be a bad thing.

I agree ML, although I understand missing diana's feelings about them. I don't think that anyone should get a pat on the back for going to one of these dinners - they are, after all, a fancy party and probably a lot of fun. If that was all Kate and William ever did, I would be annoyed with them, but attending the occasional dinner party mixed in with some real work doesn't bother me at all.

[lil157]

:flower: missing diana my comment isn't aimed at you, it's just a general observation; but I've never understood anyone's objections to charity fundraisers that involve glam dinner parties.  As far as I can tell, :shrug: those expensive dinner parties are a sure-fire way to raise large sums of money for needy charities, and I don't see how that could be a bad thing.

I agree ML, although I understand missing diana's feelings about them. I don't think that anyone should get a pat on the back for going to one of these dinners - they are, after all, a fancy party and probably a lot of fun. If that was all Kate and William ever did, I would be annoyed with them, but attending the occasional dinner party mixed in with some real work doesn't bother me at all.

I don't have a problem with attending a fancy fundraiser, either.

However, sometimes... most times, I guess, lending a helping hand, comforting a sick person, teasing an innocent child, shaking hands with everyday people, may have a more impact in their lives then, maybe, to the already 'well-settled' ones.

You know what I mean?

:flower:

[wannable]

In times of recession there are many lending hands but not much deep pockets.  As I said half of U.K. charities are on their knees cash strapped or regretfully bankrupt.  I think I read today that the gala has broken a record of pay per charity/900 people will be attending.  :thumbsup:  I also think PW will be joining some of similar children charity related with ARK.

I'm sure SJP will be handling a balance (from glam to gritty) of royal duties for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

[gec]

It will be good to see them out and about.

But I do see missing diana's point. It can come down to the fact that we would like to see them "do" rather than "attend". These charity dinners certainly have their place. But in terms of motivating people to contribute their time to a charity, which is just as important as money, a photograph of William sleeping outside with the homeless or serving up dinners is much more effective.

The second point of charity dinners which royals/high profile people attend, is that they are not necessarily inclusive, due to the price, and can actually isolate every day people.

It is great that they will be drawing significant media attention to the charity, but I just hope that it will be balanced out in the future with other sorts of engagements.

[wannable]

The ARK gala is tomorrow. Here Catherine Ostler, Daily Mail with some details.

The annual charity Ark dinner is an event so flashy that even many London hedge fund managers baulk at going, preferring, as one put it, 'to do their giving discreetly'.
But come tomorrow evening, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will make their regal entrance into a giant, elaborate marquee on Perks' Fields, right behind Kensington Palace — the field where William, as a child, used to meet his parents' helicopter when they returned from engagements.
There, amid the cheerful artillery of popping champagne corks, William and Kate will be  welcomed by 900 guests in evening dress and diamonds, who have each paid £10,000 for a ticket, or upwards of £50,000 for a table of ten.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2000631/Kate-Middleton-Prince-Williams-social-debut-Is-suitable.html#ixzz1OgveYmvR   

[Princess Pea]

The headline was damning and it made them look like they were jumping into the glitzy world of tax evaders and individuals with so much money they become rather nouveau riche but I suppose let's get down to why they may have chosen to attend. The charity needs donations and on this occasion the desire to raise awareness to bring in that money for the benefit of the needy. Has to be taken seriously and furthermore if on the night a huge amount is raised for a good cause then that cannot be a negative thing but a positive one, especially if that money increases by their presence.

[llatai]

Interesting and exciting night I think and with a history of auction prizes both at this event and personally between William and Kate I wonder what will be on offer tonight.  My suggestions would be -


William,  motor bike ride, 5 a side football game , history of Diana tour (joke),coastal rescue in Wales -
Kate, personal shopping day, tennis game, Pilate's lesson, canoe ride,hair and make up lesson  (joke). photography course with Mario Testino (unused)
Anyone else got any suggestions.

Hope the speech goes well , it will be a tricky balance between the rich and poor to get the press on his side. The style and approach will  probably be Robin Hoodish.  You know its good for you, give and it will make you feel better, you can't take it with you etc.

[BritishRoyals]

I wonder how much of the media is invited inside...

[Jenee]

I don't have a problem with attending a fancy fundraiser, either.

However, sometimes... most times, I guess, lending a helping hand, comforting a sick person, teasing an innocent child, shaking hands with everyday people, may have a more impact in their lives then, maybe, to the already 'well-settled' ones.

You know what I mean?

Yep, I do... but you can't argue that this type of thing doesn't do any good...

It might not feel 'of the people', and some are turned off by its ostentatiousness, but financially, it works. Though revenues have been steadily falling since the top year of 2007 (pre-crash, obviously), even last year the Ark dinner raised upwards of £14 million in one night.

[Jenee]

First picture of the event: http://yfrog.com/h4drtxfj

[megaroozle]

^You guys are on the ball!!!

[cinrit]

That was fast!  Thanks, Jenee.  I wonder who the woman is in the white bodysuit?  I guess it's a bodysuit ... I can't see it that well.

Cindy

[SophieChloe]

What's with the lady in her fourties swimming attire  :shrug:

[wannable]

^its part of the 'decoration'

http://yfrog.com/h2mxgurj

[Jenee]

Donno... an entertainer, I hope! Here's another pic:

@SkyNewsHack: You've gotta love this. It's what 10,000 pounds buys you at a party reception
http://twitpic.com/597dcj

[cinrit]

^^ Oh ... hmmm ... well ... very interesting. :blank:

Cindy

[Jenee]

Regaleyes Mark Stewart
#Duchessofcambridge in a full length metallic, nude dress looking very slim & slinky #royal #ARK

Pic of Kate: http://yfrog.com/h33eskcj

[megaroozle]

^^^he he he he

[megaroozle]

was laughing at Cindy's comment, not Kate....just saying