Ambassadors’ Ball
raises Emergency Funds
Held on 17 June 2023 at The Hyatt Regency London –The Churchill, the Ambassadors’ Ball once again broke records to raise vital funds for Darfur, at a time when they are desperately needed. An incredible £43,869 was raised from this year’s event, which will go to the Kids for Kids’ Emergency Appeal to help families in Darfur devastated by the current warfare.
On the night, Kids for Kids were pleased to welcome ambassadors and diplomatic guests from all over the world, including Albania, Cyprus, Lebanon, Lithuania, Myanmar, South Africa, the UAE, Turkey, Uganda, Vietnam, and of course, Sudan. Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador of Honduras Ivan Romero-Martinez attended with his wife Mirian, as did long-time friend of the diplomatic community, founder and CEO of International Diplomatic Supplies (IDS) Patrick Doyle, along with his wife Erica and two of their children.
High Commissioner of Cyprus, Andreas S. Kakouris
High Commissioner of Cyprus, Andreas S. Kakouris
The champagne reception saw everyone gather in The Churchill’s Library, followed by a delicious dinner with delectable drinks provided by International Diplomatic Supplies.
The raffle alone raised £4,252, which Kids for Kids reports is enough to purchase 85 goats, five goats each for 17 families!
CEO of IDS Patrick Doyle, along with his wife Erica and two of their children
CEO of IDS Patrick Doyle, along with his wife Erica and two of their children
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of Honduras Ivan Romero-Martinez with Founder and CEO of International Diplomatic Supplies, Patrick Doyle and Mrs Mirian Nasser-Romero (Honduras)
Deputy Head of Mission Marwan Francis (Lebanon) and his spouse
South Africa Ambassador Jeremiah Nyamane and his spouse,
Mrs Alenore Cecilia Mamabolo
International auctioneer, Hugh Edmeades, worked his magic leading the live auction. Generous contributions included Michael Blyth donating three family photoshoots, IDS donating a wheelbarrow of wine and Philip Treacy OBE a beautiful hat. There were beautiful paintings including a watercolour by Diana Armfield RA and Puddle Ducks by Kids for Kids’ Founder Patricia Parker OBE, as well as much more…
The Silent Auction included many fabulous prizes: jewellery from Vicki Sarge, tours of House of Lords and Lords Cricket ground, a helicopter lesson, and a weekend in the Brecon Beacons. Together, the auctions raised £25,000, which will go towards Kids for Kids’ work to change as many lives in Darfur as possible.
Lithuanian Deputy Head of Mission Lina Zimantaite with her spouse and Erika Doyle
Lithuanian Deputy Head of Mission Lina Zimantaite with her spouse and Erika Doyle
The Blue Flame band filled the dancefloor with their upbeat set, and Dr Chit Win and his wife, Mrs May Htet Oo from Myanmar were the lucky winners of a beautiful Tiffany bracelet by Elsa Peretti from the Locked Box.
Ambassador of Honduras Ivan Romero-Martinez with his wife,
Mrs Mirian Nasser-Romero
Uganda High Commissioner Nimisha Madhvani
Diplomats from Lithuania, Uganda and South Africa
Kids for Kids report that the situation in Darfur has been heart breaking. “The danger of travelling anywhere is putting the lives of hundreds of women and children at risk,” notes Kids for Kids founder Patricia Parker MBE. “Major food shortages have been reported. Normal life has not just been disrupted but destroyed. Our aim has always been to provide sustainable help and right now that is proving valuable beyond belief. Goats milk from our goats provides essential proteins, vitamins and minerals to countless children who were already malnourished following drought and flood last year. Now our goats are a lifeline to children in Darfur. By providing handpumps near villages, the danger of walking long distances is reduced and our trained midwives could not be more needed. With no healthcare in villages and now hospitals barely functioning they are providing desperately needed support to women during pregnancy and childbirth. We are, of course, doing all we can to alleviate the suffering at this time.”
Photographs by Antonia Peña
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