10:45am Monday 18th May 2009
By Manisha Mistry
A SHELTER in Uganda which cares for abandoned babies have received a helping hand from a group of Harpenden women who threw a fundraising party last week.
On Thursday, May 14, Wendy Matthews invited local women to her home in Hatching Green for an Undress for Uganda evening.
Wendy's friend, Lucy Buck, set up the Child's i Foundation, which provides short-term care for abandoned babies in Uganda, while a more permanent home for them is found.
Around £2,000 was raised at the ladies night, where each person who attended brought along good condition, unwanted clothes, which were sold at £5 each.
Wendy, of Geescroft Walk, said the highlight of the night was a silent auction, where they bid for four “must have” items - one being a Louis Vuitton handbag which sold for £140.
She said: “We had a fantastic night and raised £2,000 - £1,700 on the night and £300 donated on the morning by a very generous local businessman whose wife attended the evening.
“Around 50 people attended and Lucy spoke very passionately about her charity and many ladies on the evening have either volunteered to host future clothes parties or provide project management and finance skills to the charity, while several nurses have even volunteered to go out to Uganda to help Lucy run her babies' homes.”
The Bangkok Lounge provided canapes on the night, and In Vogue, a Harpenden clothes shop, donated clothes for the fundraiser.
Lucy, a former television producer from London, was inspired to set up the shelter after her first-hand experience of the poverty in Uganda while filming documentaries.
Anyone who would like to host a Undress for Uganda party, or donate to the charity, can call 01892 852194, or visit www.childsifoundation.org.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/trade_directory/