Gingerman hosts charity fundraising evening and exceeds target

Thursday 7 July 2011

The Gingerman Restaurant Group has exceeded its fundraising target for Rockinghorse Children’s Charity by hosting a dinner at the Ginger Pig in Hove.

The local food group, which has four restaurants in Brighton, Hove and Hassocks, raised a staggering £8,500 at its fundraising evening, which consisted of a champagne reception with canapés and a three-course meal, followed by a raffle and auction. One of the auction prizes included having The Ginger Chef himself, Ben McKellar, cook dinner for eight people in the winner’s home, which went for £1,500.

The outstanding contributions at the fundraising evening have enabled the charity to open a children’s accident and emergency room at The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, which will be officially launched this autumn.

The new room will ensure that children and young people are treated in an environment that is suited to their needs, giving them access to paediatrician’s who are specialists in their field. The money raised will go towards comfortable and bright child-friendly seating, a separate waiting room designed for adolescents and new fun uniforms for the staff.

Ria Wilson, Rockinghorse’s Fundraising Manager (Corporate and Trusts), said: “I’ve never known such a speedy and large fundraising effort. It was a fantastic night from start to finish. We’re so grateful to Gingerman Restaurants, all the staff and everyone who generously supported on the night.”

Owners of the delectable eateries, Ben and Pamela McKellar, came on board to help Rockinghorse fund the project at the beginning of the year and have since raised over £12,500 for the charity, through signature dishes on the main menu and children’s menu as well as by hosting the fundraising evening.

Pamela McKellar said: "The evening was an enormous success! Ben and I are hugely grateful to our loyal customers and friends who were exceedingly generous in their support and donations.

"We are delighted with the response we have generated and received for this exceptional cause. It has been a pleasure working with Rockinghorse and we really look forward to the launch and opening of the unit in the autumn to see the full effect of everyone's hard work."

To find out more about Rockinghorse’s work, contact the charity on 01273 330044. For more about Gingerman Restaurant Group, visit its website.