Cumbria Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas lunch and charity auction has raised over £4,500 for charity.
The event raised a total of £4,925 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service – a charity that fully relies on donations and volunteers to keep its life saving work going.
The event, held on Friday December 6 at the North Lakes Hotel in Penrith, welcomed over 50 members of the chamber and the wider business community for a social afternoon of food, networking and giving back.
The festivities began with a networking drinks reception, where attendees mingled and caught up with friends and colleagues.
Shortly after, guests were invited to sit down in the restaurant for a three-course festive lunch served by the team at North Lakes.
During the meal, prizes were awarded to the best dressed guests, with Christine Courtney of Light in the Dark Hypnotherapy winning best dressed woman and Grahame Latus of Enterprise Answers winning best dressed man.
The highlight of the event was the charity auction, presided over by none other than Kev Warman, engagement manager at the chamber, who took to the stage dressed as Santa Claus (with a twist!).
Kev’s enthusiastic and humorous approach brought great energy to the room as he auctioned off an impressive selection of prizes generously donated by local businesses.
Auction lots – which numbered 52 in total – included hotel stays, luxury experiences, hampers, gift vouchers, and even a wet and dry vacuum.
Natasha Banks, of GNAAS, thanked the participants involved in the auction and gave an overview of the essential, lifesaving work done by the charity.
Afterwards, Natasha said: “We were delighted to hear that nearly £5,000 had been raised at the chamber’s Christmas lunch.
“As a charity, we do not receive government funding and need to raise £9.3m a year to remain operational, so we’re very appreciative of this donation. Thank you to the organisers of the event and everyone who attended and supported GNAAS.”
Kev said: “We’re thrilled to have raised nearly £5,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service!
“The chamber’s annual Christmas lunch is always great fun, but this year’s event took it to another level – a fantastic way to celebrate Christmas and bring our business community together, while supporting a charity that provides such vital services to our region.
“I’d like to thank all the attendees, prize donors, and the North Lakes Hotel team for making the event such a success!”
The chamber has also extended its thanks to businesses who donated lots for the auction. These include:
- Prima Group
- Sir Woofchester’s
- LSL Consultancy
- Sassy Property Styling
- Make the Lakes
- WCF
- Windermere Lakes Cruises
- North County Show
- Harmony Rejuvenation
- Kendal Brewery Arts Centre
- Crown Inn Pooley Bridge
- Sedbergh Soap
- Julie Wannop
- Appleby Manor
- Center Parcs
- Bugalugs Pet Care
- Mean Old Scene
- Lake District Fishing
- Hawkshead Relish
- Laura Cadman
- Bike Hike and Paddle
- Lakeland Artisan
- Out of Eden
- Jayyva
- Ullswater Far Boathouse
- K P & E J Knight
- Holker Hall & Gardens
- Nilfisk
- Scott Duff
- Ravenstone Wellness
- Julie Kemp
- DSB Training
- Grasmere Gingerbread
- LANSS Ginger Bakers
- The New Bookshop
- Carlisle Brewing Co
- AJ Security
- Spencer B. Hodgetts
- Copper Beech Trading
- Kin Vodka
- Atkinson Builders
- Barrow AFC
- Lakes Distillery
- The Jockey Club
- Cumbrian Boerewors
- Holker Estate
- Millcroft Vets
- Ennerdale Brewery
- Traybakes
