OC Ball 2011
We all had a wonderful time at the 2011 OC Ball. Our evening began with Helen Kingston and Emma Lumley providing some beautiful clarinet duets for us as the guests arrived. Alan Feeney, our fabulous Toastmaster, kept us all to schedule and Ian Banham and Ali Bastian danced for us (and with us!). Professor Catherine Williamson from Imperial College London also spoke to us about the research that is taking place and how the contribution of samples from so many of you to her research has helped scientists better understand this very complex condition. Following our auction we ended the evening with a disco and I was most impressed by those who lasted until 2:30 a.m. I had to call it a day at 2:00 a.m. (feet hurting and just plain old age), but was overwhelmed by the support from all who attended.
The venue at Aston Villa FC looked stunning on the night thanks to Rachael Rawlings, Kelly Ivil and their families who decorated it beautifully. The men did a great job of putting up the fairy lights (don’t like to leave you out guys!). My thanks also go to Jenn and Alex Deasington, Magdalen Rees, Alice Tuson and Ian Kingston and his family who also helped on the day.
I want to say a big thank you to Andy Edgecombe who designed and presented me with a memory book where I can put the letters and pictures that I have received from many of you over the past 20 years; to Rachael Rawlings for a wonderful speech made to me, with Jenn Deasington, Kelly Ivil, Claire Taylor, Alice Tuson and Claire Wright in attendance; and to the men for my gorgeous bouquet of flowers. This was all a complete surprise on the night. I was completely overwhelmed and (for once) not able to say very much!
We raised just over £4,000, which is brilliant considering that we had half the number of people that came to the 2008 Ball, when we raised around the same amount on the night. Where we made a good profit last time was with ticket sales because of the sheer number of people who were able to attend. This may have been because the 2008 event was held in London and perhaps easier to get to. A lot of women contacted me afterwards and asked us to hold the Ball at a more central location the next time so that they could attend, which is why I opted for Birmingham. A very big thank you to all of you who still travelled from the South.
The last 20 years have been a real privilege for me, working with so many wonderful people, and I hope to continue for some time yet – whether I make another 20 is debatable, but I’ll be giving it my best shot! 2012 is going to be especially exciting and I look forward to being able to tell you all about this very soon.
Warmest wishes
Jenny Chambers
Founder, OC Support
A selection of photos
Lots of people took pictures – here's a selection. If you want to add any of your own, please send them to the webmaster.
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