GeeWizz charity near Bury St Edmunds raises £137,893 with Midsummer Night's Party

A charity based near Bury St Edmunds had a midsummer night's dream come true when its party raised more than £135,000.

The GeeWizz Charity Midsummer Night's Party was held on Friday at Brightwell Hall Farm, near Ipswich.

Nearly 500 guests helped to raised £137,893 thanks to auction prizes donated by businesses, GeeWizz ambassadors and friends as well as a golden ticket draw.

Aileen Belsberg, chief executive of GeeWizz based in Fornham St Martin, said: "Our third Midsummer Night’s Party has again surpassed our expectations.

"Our sponsors, event partners and auction donors all generously supported the fund-raising evening above and beyond what we could have wished for.

"The energy and generosity in the room was tangible, with all there to help local lives. I am truly grateful for the support by all involved, because of their kindness we can now fund four much-needed projects and equipment."

Funds raised through the party will be used to support children and young adults across Suffolk, who are learning disabled or neurodivergent, have a life-limiting illness or cancer, as well as supporting sarcoma cancer research and capital projects.

The charity is currently focusing on four projects: purchasing new EyeGazer equipment for Mick Fulcher, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; providing specialist sports frames for Coplestonians FC Frame Football Team; continuing work with Suffolk Lawn Tennis Association to provide all-inclusive tennis programmes across the county; and supporting Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal's non-verbal youth theatre programme.

Auctioneer Edward Crichton, of Lacy Scott and Knight led the auction, which had prizes including: a fully installed SMART garden office; an invitation from Rolls Royce to attend the Salon Prive 2022; VIP Pub in the Park tickets; a VIP festival experience at Defected Croatia; a sculpture from sculptor Shaun Brosnan; a private dining experience with Pascal Canevet at Maison Bleue; and a VIP JCB factory tour.

Guests enjoyed entertainment from RPJ Band and lead singer Rick Parfitt Jnr.

Sponsors included TRU7 Group; Abbeygate Wealth Management; ChassisCab DAF; Krazy Horse; SMART Garden Offices; TruckEast and Whip Street Motors.