A Licence to Thrill: A 007 Ball to Remember

Credit: Richard Barker

The bi-annual charity ball – held on Saturday 7 March at Stock Brook Manor – saw over 250 guests enjoy dinner, entertainment and fundraising, all for this special local cause. This Bond-themed evening had all the suave for James himself – an Aston Martin out front and high-stakes on casino tables to end the night.

Supporters old and new, gathered for the event including the charity’s Honorary Life President, Hilary Needham, and parents who have received support throughout the 32-year lifespan of SNAP. This included Natalie Fernando, SNAP parent and host of parent course, Emotional Resilience, who shared the impact the charity has had on her and her family since 2018 after contacting the helpline about her son, Rudy.

Guests were also invited to bid to win a selection of coveted prizes and experiences, including a Spice Masterclass with Vidushi at Tastefully Yours, tickets to the Premier League Darts Final – very generously donated by Matchroom, and tickets to Brit & Grammy-award winner Olivia Dean’s sold-out concert this Spring. All the incredible auction prizes were very generously donated by supporters and ambassadors.

The excitement continued with two thrilling prize draws, where attendees had the chance to win a stunning diamond necklace, generously donated by Lords, Shenfield or ‘The Bond Bundle’, consisting of a custom-made shirt by Lewis Yates, Billericay, and a 007-themed bottle of Bollinger.

Proceeds from the ball will go towards the running of SNAP’s vital services – its helpline, parent face-to-face sessions with Family Support Advisers and activity sessions where the whole family can gain support and guidance from the SNAP Team.

Sponsors, some of whom joined on the night, helped make this event happen. Special thanks go to Blue Serif, Lords, Lady Penelope Wines, Bennetts, Diamond Press, Tyre Tech Autocentre, Liteplan, Winged Boots and PMD Building Contractors.

SNAP CEO, Karen Boath, shared, “What an amazing evening! There was so much love in the room for SNAP. It is heart-warming to have so many wonderful people supporting our charity, especially in the current climate. We could not continue to provide the service we do without events like this.”