starlight - helping dying kids

[Ken Gargett]

I am helping to put together the Starlight dinner for Brisbane for mid May (five top local chefs plus Amando from Boun Ricardo in Sydney will be doing the cooking). For those not familiar, Starlight is a charity that works with young kids dying from cancer, so I think quite a worthwhile one. I know that everyone has their own charities that they give to in whatever amounts they deem appropriate so I would normally not mention this except that this year Starlight have found things especially tough going. With the financial crisis worldwide and the bushfires in Australia, to which many gave, the donations for the dying kids are well down.

We have put together a pile of wines that will be raffled at the dinner and I thought that perhaps a bundle of cigars that we can auction on the night (there will hopefully be a number of big spending businessmen who will jump on them). I rather like the idea of cigars helping kids with cancer – have already had some PC idiocy questioning whether it was proper. Most people come around when you point out it is to raise money for dying kids.

I am going to toss in some of my Hamlets. Rob has very kindly agreed to also toss in some cigars as well, so we can get the ball rolling.

If you would like to contribute, Starlight would be very grateful. Please contact me on [email protected] so I can coordinate. They would need to be with Starlight by May 11 as the dinner is May 18. they should go to Melanie Jefcoate, Starlight Children's Foundation, Level 2, 310 Vulture Street, Kangaroo Point, Qld, Ph: (07) 3456 0406.

If anyone from overseas wanted to help, may I suggest that you do so through Czars, rather than try and send cigars. Either specify a sum of money or specific cigars and I can speak to Rob and make sure Starlight has them on the night. I'll be there to make certain that those bidding know what they are getting.

Many thanks for any assistance and I promise never to do this again.

[Colt45]

Softie.

Please let us know which would be preferable - raffle items or $$.

[Ken Gargett]

Softie.

Please let us know which would be preferable - raffle items or $$.

softie? very personal.

colt, many thanks. i think they'd be very happy with either. whatever is easiest.

all much appreciated.

[Ken Gargett]

softie? very personal.

colt, many thanks. i think they'd be very happy with either. whatever is easiest.

all much appreciated.

guys, just going to keep bumping this into the latest posts for a week or so to allow anyone interested to get a chance to have a look.

[Guest rob]

What about details for the dinner Ken? Or is it sold out?

[Ken Gargett]

What about details for the dinner Ken? Or is it sold out?

will find out and post. don't think it sold out. i think they are doing them in every state.

[Ken Gargett]

guys, thanks so much to everybody who has emailed me. really generous. as we have easter here in australia, i won't be able to get some of the details till tuesday but will post as soon as i can.

[Ken Gargett]

What about details for the dinner Ken? Or is it sold out?

details - Details of the Qld Starlight Five Chefs Dinner are:

Date: 18 May

Venue: The Sofitel Brisbane

Chefs: Tony Percuoco (Fellini Ristorante), Javier Codina (Giannis), Paul McGivern (Restaurant Manx), David Pugh (Restaurant Two), Patrice Falantin (Sofitel Brisbane) and special guest Armando Percuoco (Buon Ricordo)

Cost: $295 p/person or $2,950 table of ten

Email: [email protected] Fax: (07) 3456 0499

Melanie Jefcoate on 0439 718 713

[Ken Gargett]

also 07-3456-0406