Wednesday, 13th January 10

The final count following Pride in Brighton & Hove’ pre-Christmas fund-raiser at Charles Street in December showed that more than £2,000 had been raised on the night.

Supporters, who paid £25 a head, enjoyed a Champagne reception, a three course meal and great night’s entertainment.

Acts from the Cabaret and Womens' Performance Tents on the Park squared off for a ‘Doc’s v Frocks’ contest, hosted by Nicky Mitchell for the Docs and Lady James (Pride’s acting chair) for the Frocks. The result was an honorable draw with Sally Vate and Maisie Trollette triumphant for the Frocks and Eva La Diva for the Docs who each won enough votes to perform a full set.

A glamorous Lady James thinly disguised as Santa was a big attraction for those wishing to sit on his knee. However, the biggest earner of the night proved to be the auction of five lots under the gavel wielded by TV’s Mark Stacey of Flog It and Bargain Hunt fame. It raised more than half the total on the night.

“It was a great evening” said Pride Trustee Kath Browne, who helped organise the event. “The acts were on superb form and we cannot thank enough those who generously donated the auction lots. A big vote of thanks also has to go to the Charles Street team who worked so hard to help make this such a success.”

The Christmas party at Charles Street was the final event in the 2009 Pride calendar. Since the main Pride event in August local businesses have held fundraising events on behalf of Pride, Pride’s own volunteers hit the streets on Halloween to do the first ever Pride street collection and together with the City Of Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus and Juice 107.2 Pride presented an exclusive carol concert inside Barclays Bank, North Street on Saturday 5^th December. Visitors to the bank were treated to songs from the Chorus’ Christmas Show, free mince pies and sweets. It was a magical event and people showed their appreciation by donating £154.64 in the Pride collection tins, added to a donation from Barclays Bank the total raised at this event was £319.74, not bad for two hours!

This brings the total amount donated to Pride between September and December 2009 to £14,080.71. Made up from individual donations on the Pride JustGiving page, at fundraising events held at Charles Street, Barclays Bank, Frockabilly, The Latest Music Bar, The PV, Queens Arms, Bent Double, Dubstep Polestars, Wild Fruit, Revenge, Marine Tavern, The Amsterdam and the Aquarium and donations from Cowards Guest House and the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus.

People can still donate to Pride at: http://www.justgiving.com/brightonpride/donate

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For more information please contact: Pride in Brighton & Hove

Judith Manson, Fundraising and Communications Manager

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Tel: 01273 775939

For press images please contact: REALBrighton.com

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