Phuket St Patrick’s Day Ball charity event tomorrow

PHUKET: A charity ball marking St Patrick’s Day will be hosted tomorrow evening at the Mövenpick Resort & Spa in Karon.

The annual ball is a major fundraising event for the Life Home Project, a local foundation that provides shelter for women and children affected by HIV as well as childcare, vocational training, health education and hospice assistance.

The event promises to provide plenty of “craic” – a Gaelic word meaning “a very good time”.

Among the VIPs attending the event will be the Irish Ambassador to Thailand and Malaysia Declan Kelly and his wife, and Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha.

Doors open with a cocktail reception at 6:30pm followed by dinner at 7:30pm and live music until 2am.

Entertainment will be provided by the Roaring Bhoys, brought to Phuket by the Irish Times Pub.

Tickets are available from any BAKE outlets on the island or by calling Hélène Fallon Wood, chair of the ball, at 081-797 2079.

Hélène is also a founder of the Life Home Project, the beneficiary of the charity event.

“We provide support services for around 200 families affected by HIV, but we are expanding our education services to the local schools,” she said.

“Sadly, the majority of new HIV infections are occurring in the 15 to 25-year-old age range as there is not sufficient education about how to prevent infection.

“Even the local government supports our efforts to educate the youth on Phuket about this devastating disease,” she said.

Hélène has become a major fundraiser in Phuket and works with Julie Street and Kathy Manthei to present a charity gala ball to allow residents blessed with a good life on the island to help those in need.

“I want to thank Hansruedi Frutiger, the Mövenpick General Manager, for providing such a beautiful setting and extravagant selection of foods.

“Also the Wine Connection continues with their generous support with wines,” says Helene.

“This year we can offer high quality champagne as well as the opportunity to win hotel stays at a wide variety of Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts from Dubai to Sentosa Island.

“Etihad Airlines have donated a return trip from Bangkok to Dublin including a week’s stay at a luxury golf resort at Kinsale in County Cork.

“We also have diamonds from Ireland’s largest diamond merchant and magnums of champagne covered in Swarovski crystals,” she adds.

Life Home Project’s St Patrick’s Day Ball is the charity’s only fund-raising event and all proceeds will be spent on supporting the families under care. Funds will also be geared towards expanding HIV prevention and education across the island.

The Phuket Gazette is a proud sponsor of this event.

— Bruce Stanley