International Flavour to Charity Winter Ball & Auction

International Flavour to Charity Winter Ball & Auction

24 November 2008

A fundraising Winter Ball will take place on Saturday 29th November at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Powerscourt in aid of the Jack & Jill Foundation.  The night will be a gala celebration of what has been achieved to date by the charity, in its 12 year history and a night which will also help raise vital funds for the Charity which currently assists over 300 Irish families with babies who suffer from severe developmental delay and associated problems.  

Jonathan Irwin, CEO and founder of the Jack & Jill Foundation and father of baby Jack, who is the inspiration behind the Charity stated "Everyone loves a good party and this is a way to have a really special night out with friends and clients, in one of Ireland's leading hotels, while helping us reach our goal to raise €3 million this year to fund our wide range of activities, assisting Irish families at a time of great need.  We have achieved so much in such a short space of time, but more than ever we need to work to maintain the level of service and support we are providing to all our families the length and breadth of the country."

The highlight of the night will be an Auction with a very international feel to it.  The piece de resistance is a holiday package valued at over €100,000 which is an amazing Island Hopping Holiday of a Lifetime to New Zealand.  The package includes exclusive use of a Private Island - Mercury Island, cradled in the seclusion of the Pacific Ocean, then transfer to a Tree Top Lodge in a game and wildlife habitat on the North Island of New Zealand, finishing off in a 5 Star Hotel in the heart of Queenstown. 

Keeping with the international theme, there will also be a Dazzling Dubai Package to a location on the shores of the Arabian Gulf; a unique 6 night stay in Istanbul at the five star Ritz Carlton which stands in the centre of this fascinating city and the Party of the Century in a 16th Century Mansion, Archerfield House, frequented by Kings and Prime Ministers, for 30 people - ideal for a corporate or social get together. 

Another very special item to be auctioned is a hand-woven 100% Tibetan 9ft Wool Rug, designed and donated by Luke Irwin, brother of Jack.  This unique piece called "Doves & Stripes", is a distinctive take on the American Flag, replacing the stars with doves in flight, soaring to freedom and towards change - a very relevant and historic item, given the very special time in history we are experiencing.

The  Auction Items are without reserves and bids for all items can be made via the foundations website www.jackandjill.ie or can be made by calling the foundation directly on (045) 894538.  Tables of 10 are available at €3,000 and a small number of tickets are still available and can be booked on line or by calling the charity directly.