‘Making a difference’ was the theme for this year’s charity fundraiser held at London Golf Club & Brands Hatch, where Peter Jackson, chief executive of Sysco GB, welcomed a record 320 guests to acknowledge and share in the progress of charity over the past 12 months.
Within the last year the charity, which was started by Brakes in 2015, grew and was be able to support even more children and young people across the UK.
In addition to the golf, racing and spa, a Chocolatier School was provided by William Curley, whose creations have achieved over 30 gold awards at The Academy Of Chocolate Awards, and proved particularly popular. Pre-dinner, guests were entertained by The Score Function Band, with an array of popular, soul and jazz classics as they eagerly anticipated dinner provided by Sysco GB top chefs.
Hosted by TV presenter and Strictly Come Dancing winner, Chris Hollins, and Golf Tour Player & Sky presenter Inci Mehmet, the assembled guests were encouraged to ‘dig deep’ for the worthy cause.
As a result, they embraced the live and silent auctions and raised a record amount which the hosts described as ‘truly amazing given the current cost of living crisis’.
Kate Woodhouse, chair of trustees, shared how it was using the money to help meet the increasing challenges that many children faced as a result of the cost of living crisis. As a result, Meals & More provided more than 375,000 meals in 2022, as well as creating a successful ‘The Big Day Out’ pilot, where more than 1,300 children were able to enjoy a day away from their usual surroundings.
Peter McGrath, operations director, emphasised the value of the support received, and that every penny raised made a difference, providing funds that went directly to partners who delivered holiday provision.
Andrew Forsey, national director of Feeding Britain, which is a beneficiary of funds raised by the charity, spoke of the value that Meals & More had delivered to many organisations and thousands of children and families over the years, as well as its impact on national policy.