The Sussex Business Awards took place at The Grand in Brighton last week and raised more than £9,500 for Rockinghorse.
The prestigious black-tie event recognises the achievements and resilience of the county’s business community. Newsreader and the first ever winner of Strictly Come Dancing, Natasha Kaplinsky OBE, hosted the ceremony which brought together some of the most successful companies – and their leaders – in Sussex.
Managing Director of Platinum Media Maarten Hoffmann with Pam Lock, Managing Director of Lock Associates and Host Natasha Kaplinsky
More than 500 guests enjoyed a fabulous evening with a delicious three-course meal before the awards were announced. Chief Executive of Rockinghorse, Donna Holland, spoke at the event, sharing with guests all the work the charity does during the Christmas season to support children and their families in hospital and to thank everyone in the room for supporting the charity.
Guests were invited to enter a raffle to have the chance to win some incredible prizes including a unique, bespoke suit made for the winner by Gresham Blake, the Brighton celebrity tailor, and an amazing VIP Corporate box for ten at Brighton and Hove Albion football club, generously donated by Sodexo Live!
Lauren Bartlett, Sales Manager at Sodexo, attended the event and said: “What an incredible evening to see all the local and hardworking businesses within our community, be awarded for their amazing achievements! It was a pleasure to be able to be involved and contribute to such a wonderful event as well as the phenomenal charity Rockinghorse, who give so much back to the community and make such a difference to young people’s lives.”
Guests enjoying the evening
Maarten Hoffmann, Managing Director at Platinum Media Group and organiser of the awards said: “It is lovely to see such generosity from successful individuals and businesses in Sussex and together, help contribute to the future of improved care for the children of our county”.
Donna added: “This was such an amazing evening and to raise so much for the charity is absolutely phenomenal. It’s also wonderful to meet so many supporters of the charity offering their help, from people sharing stories of their children being supported, to companies wanting to get involved in our projects and campaigns.
“Thanks so much to everyone who donated and of course to Maarten, Fiona and Lesley for delivering such a memorable and successful evening. We’re really looking forward to working with everyone at Platinum Media Group next year.”
Congratulations to Oliver Butts from the English Soap Company who won the Gresham Blake suit and to Esther Dawson from Ridgeview who picked up the VIP Corporate box.
And finally, thank you to everyone who supported Rockinghorse Children’s Charity during the evening.
