Charity is Winner
As Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board (LBTB) and 300 guests at the Tourism Awards 2009/10 celebrated the achievements of tourism businesses across the county, there was one additional winner who came away with a little more than they’d hoped for last week.
Each year LBTB selects a charity to benefit from a raffle held during the event. This year the chosen charity was the Variety Club of Great Britain North West and prizes were donated by Blackpool International and Aer Arran, Visit Ireland, Grand Theatre Blackpool, Stuart Maconie, Virgin Trains, Stanley House and the charity themselves.
The awards ceremony this year was held at at Ribby Hall, Wrea Green on Wednesday 10 June, presented by broadcaster, writer and Lancashire champion, Stuart Maconie.
For 60 years The Variety Club of Great Britain has been helping sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people, in an illustrious partnership with the British entertainment industry. The charity has raised over £200 million in the last six decades and improved the lives of more than a million children and young people.
With prizes including a 4 star break in Dublin, a VIP invitation (including hotel) to the Variety Club’s Silver Heart Tribute Dinner for the Bee Gees, a family ticket to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Grand Theatre, Stuart Maconie’s travel books, First Class Virgin Rail tickets and bottles of wine – it was the most popular LBTB awards raffle to date and raised over £1200 for the charity.
The winners were drawn on the day by Marj Boyer, Chair of the Variety Club North West, ably assisted by Guest Presenter, Stuart Maconie.
Lyn Staunton, Development Director of the Variety Club in the North West, today said:
“On behalf of the Variety Club North West region I would like to congratulate Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board for the magnificent Awards Lunch at Ribby Hall on the 10th June 2009.
Thank you to everyone who attended the lunch and supported the Variety Club North West with donations in a raffle, which raised the fantastic sum of £1,235.00 for disabled and disadvantaged children in the North West.
With the support of people like yourselves the Variety Club can continue the great work it does in helping to change the lives of children less fortunate than others.”
Most recently the charity has changed the lives of those attending Rainbow House in Chorley, who received toys, gym equipment has gone to Fleetwood Gym Club and the charity’s iconic Sunshine Coaches now provide transport for children at Park School, Blackpool and Brookfield School in Poulton-Le-Fylde.
For more information about the Variety Club North West visit www.variety-northwest.org.uk
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