A night of inspiration and celebration took place for Paul Strank Charitable Trust’s Summer Party at Mint Leaf, Haymarket.
Hosted by Christopher Biggins, one of the Trust’s ambassadors, the star-studded event was attended by a whole host of famous faces including Gok Wan, Lydia Bright, Jessica Wright, Imogen Thomas, Laura Pradelska, Josh Parkinson, Kym Mazelle, Liz McClarnon, Gemma Oaten, Nikki Graham, Zara Holland, Stavros Flatley, Talulah-Eve Brown and Raef Bjayou.
Our photo shows Stavros Flatley, Commercial Director Ivor Heller, Paul Strank MBE and Commercial Executives Jim Piddington and Pietro Palladino at a previous Paul Strank Charity Gala Dinner.
Guests enjoyed drinks from Absolute and Strassen Cidre with a special performance from the first lady of house music, Kym Mazelle who sang classic hits "Young hearts run free" and "Was that all it was.’’ Attendees also enjoyed music from Josh Parkinson. EastEnders’ Danny-Boy Hatchard was announced as this year’s official ambassador for the charity.
The party which was kindly sponsored by long-term supporters Burge & Gunson and Chemflow Environmental, and The Charles Group, raised money for The Paul Strank Charitable Trust, a Wimbledon-based grant-making Charity. The Paul Strank Charitable Trust supports local charities including Shooting Star Chase Children's Hospice, Children in Need, AFC Wimbledon Foundation, Croygas Pirates Mixed Pan Disability Youth Football Team among other great local causes.
Paul and Irene Strank have been raising money for a variety of worthy causes over the years; using their business, Paul Strank Roofing, as a springboard, they have helped thousands of people in and around South London, as well as the wider UK. Their sustained fundraising efforts were recognised in 2013 with Paul receiving an MBE for services to charity and the community in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.
Through their drive and passion for helping others, it is estimated that the pair have raised, donated or sponsored more than £3M for charity and their community over the past 30 years with the Paul Strank Charitable Trust has now been set up enable their fundraising to climb to new heights.
Paul Strank commented: "Tonight, all the funds raised from our annual summer party benefit our Charitable Trust - a grant making charity providing vital funding and support to local causes. We want to thank everyone for their support this evening, we have had a phenomenal turnout. Our focus has always been on the most disadvantaged in our community with a particular emphasis on helping children in need and their families."
There are thousands of amazing causes of all types, but the aim of the Trust is to maximise the effect that Paul and Irene’s fundraising has on their communities by carefully selecting those charities and projects which are most true to the Trust’s objectives, and their hearts, and providing key support including granting funds and generating publicity to enable long-term sustainability for the charities, so they can continue their essential work.