Archant Norfolk’s newspaper titles staged the Royal Norfolk Showground event on Friday November 8, which saw hundreds of people eat, drink and be merry – and at the same time provide vital financial support to fabulous causes, say the publishers.
The Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind (NNAB) and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust were among the charities to benefit from the event, hosted by BBC’s David Whiteley.
Former Norwich City star Jeremy Goss, speaking on behalf of the NNAB, said: “We all know how well the Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News champion their communities of readers and tonight’s cash will enable us to do the same on behalf of the visually-impaired communities in Norfolk.”
Mr Whiteley said: “I think it’s a wonderful evening. The EDP has done a great job in putting together a great evening where people can raise money by having a good time.”
Guests arrived at the showground at Costessey for a Bucks Fizz reception, followed by a meal featuring fine dining supplied by some of Norfolk’s top producers.
During the evening, people were able to text bids for 40 prizes in a silent auction, which included two tickets to the Aviva Premiership rugby final at Twickenham in May 2014, and 14 prizes in the main auction, which included the chance to have a perfume designed by Ipswich-based Omega Ingredients, which makes perfumes for famous people around the world.
But it was 1980s pop group Bucks Fizz who stole the show at the end of the evening, with original members Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston performing the band’s hits, including the Eurovision-winning number Making Your Mind Up.
Eastern Daily Press editor Nigel Pickover described it as a “stunning, magical evening”. He said: “I’m delighted and thrilled that we had such an exquisite inaugural Press Ball - three great charities will benefit and we'll announce the details later. It is great that the Norfolk and Norwich community supported it so well."
Johnny Hustler, managing director of Archant Anglia, said: “It’s a superb event raising money for some fantastic good causes. We’re so lucky to have had such support from Norwich and Norfolk businesses and the bidding in our auctions has been amazing.”
