Journalists' Charity Annual Lunch - 2009
4/03/2009
The Journalists' Charity Chairman Chris Boffey has warned that the Fund is facing a difficult period as a consequence of the global economic down-turn.
He thanked sponsors who continued to support the Charity's many fund-raising events - including the annual lunch at Simpson's in the Strand on Tuesday where he made his remarks to an audience of senior media executives.
He made clear that companies making cutbacks would think hard about sponsorship and the prospect of job losses throughout the industry would put pressure on the Fund's resources.
He urged members, supporters and sponsors to keep up their 'superb efforts' to enable the Charity to maintain our retirement and care homes in Dorking and our £250,000 a year grants to journalists on hard times. There was a special mention of the lunch sponsors - News International, Trinity Mirror and the Telegraph Group.
Among the distinguished guests were: Kevin Conmy, Charge d' Affaires of Ireland; Tina Weaver, Editor, Sunday Mirror; Nick Britton, Director of Corporate Communications. Europe, Middle East and
India, Continental Airlines Inc ; Mary Fagan, Director of Communications, Royal Mail and Laura Pearson , Whitbread.
Mr Boffey expressed thanks to the Press Ball organisers - the London Press Club - who have contributed £160,000 to the Fund over the past three years. On behalf of the Press Club and chairman Philippa Kennedy, Treasurer David Selves said their policy would be 'more for less'. They were cutting ticket prices but he anticipated no cut in the contribution the Press Ball would make to the Charity.
Chairman of the Scottish Journalists' Charity, David Dinsmore, Editor of the Sun in Scotland, presented a cheque for £30,000. The Help-a-Hack raffle - guests were asked to put their name on a £10 note - raised £800. Winners were drawn by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, guest speaker, who mentioned his own relationship with the media and suggested that there had been times when he would have regarded the words 'the Journalists' Charity' as 'a bit of a contradiction'
Winners were:
A case of fine claret (donated by Berry Brothers and Rudd): Doug Ellis, former chairman of Aston Villa.
Lunch for two at Simpson's (donated by Simpson's): Sid Young, former Daily Mirror journalist and a member of the Trustees.