FRI: 21/12/08: CHRISTMAS BALL December 21, 2008

 Kingston Maurward, Dorchester, Dorset

 TICKETS SOLD OUT !

Message from Richard and Claire Budd:

Just after our daughter Poppy was born in 2006, during a visit to the Sudan, helping the Salisbury Sudan Link, we came across a mud hut school in the most remote and deprived area of the Nuba Mountains. It was closing. It has now closed. This means there is now no secondary school in a huge area – which has 150 primary schools. An area that emerged in 2005 from a 21-year civil war – during which education was deliberately destroyed. An area where only 2% of the population is educated even to primary level. This makes it arguably one of the most educationally needy places on the planet.

Claire and I are building a new school. It’s not going to be easy. We have raised more than £9,000 since August. We need to raise £40,000 for the building and £29,000 annual running costs for the foreseeable future. We have some events coming up. TV Wildlife expert and photographer Chris Packham is doing one for us in April. The Yetties in May. We’ll have a charity golf day next year.

But the one I’d like to tell you lot about is our Christmas Ball.

Tickets £45. A glass of bubbly beside the open fire – three-course meal (choice of menus) – entertainment (singer Joe Jones, 6 piece jazz/swing band and the Emergency DJs) All in the superb setting of Kingston Maurward near Dorchester.

Sunday 21st December 2008. Arrival 7pm. Carriages at midnight.

Every penny raised will go to the school. Nothing will be spent on admin. Many kind people are giving their time.

And it’ll be a right old knees up.

Email Claire@GraceSecondarySchool.com for more details

Tickets are on sale at the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre also.

Cheques payable to “Grace Secondary School Appeal” from:

Dorchester Tourist Information Centre, Antelope Walk, Dorchester DT1 1BE

or

Tel: Claire Budd 07764 335 892

www.gracesecondaryschool.com