The Charity Jazz Night for Ladakh was a great success. Approximately 250 people came along to this outdoor evening event in a lovely black and white home in Ridley Park. The music of the Miles Tranter Jazz Band set the scene and the weather was perfect.

Pennie Jackson who works with Bill Kite in Ladakh presented an emotionally and visually moving presentation of the current tragedy facing those in Ladakh. Many people spoke about how this impacted them throughout the evening. Beautiful slides were also shown depicting the absolute beauty of Ladakh. Sophie and Tarni in Grade 11, spoke briefly about the importance of compassion.

Many communities were represented at the event, the medical and dental missions who travel to Ladakh annually, parents and teachers of UWC, Tanglin School and the Canadian school and a bevy of friends and relatives. From UWC, Two Grade 8 boys, Alexander and Rahul did a superb job manning the front gate. Two Grade 10 students Lauren and Jenny did the important job of traffic control and twelve UWC Grade 11 students helped out with serving food and selling raffle tickets. Nikki Cooper did a great job taking the photos and a group of close girlfriends helped with the raffle and the manning of the wine sales. Thanks everyone!

The Auction was small and specific to the Himalayas. Items such as a Tibetan Thangkas, a beautiful painting by Alpana Vij, a trek offered by Bill Kite and an 18th century Shan alabaster Buddha were on offer. “Skilly” did a great job auctioneering as always.

We had a raffle with a difference with people choosing their own prize when their tickets were drawn. It was like being at a Christmas party, a lot of excitement and fun was had choosing!

We had great sponsorship from caterers such as the Marmalade Pantry Group, Jones the Grocer, Culina and Picotin with vastly reduced wine prices from Underground Wines. Our catering wonder woman, Janine Campbell, made every cheeseboard look like a work of art. Hardly a morsel was left!

The generosity of the retail community, as well as generous friends have made this event a huge success. We made in excess of $50,000, which will be donated to the Lamdon Social Welfare Society.

Thank you to Andy Cockburn, Janine Campbell and Pennie Jackson, UWC and to the Miles Tranter Jazz Ensemble and to ALL our sponsors and finally to Bill Kite who alerted us to this disaster thus motivating us all to take action quickly.

See www.ladakhfloodrelief.org for further sponsorship and pictures of this event

With love

Anne Mathison