A range of local charities are now £8,000 better off thanks to a glittering champagne tasting and jazz evening organised by four Fife College students in partnership with the Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy.
The four students Kelsey Atkinson, 19 from Anstruther, Rebecca Butcher, 28 from Dunfermline, Nicole Mackay, 30 from Kirkcaldy and Gayle Wilson, 31 from Glenrothes all helped to plan the event in advance and manage it on the night.
The evening, which took place at the College’s Atrium space, St Brycedale Campus in Kirkcaldy recently,raised £8,000 which will be shared between Maggie’s Centre, Kings Theatre, Altziemer Scotland and other local charities.
The students raised funds through ticket sales and a raffle where they secured many of the prizes.
On the night Lucy Warren, who is brand ambassador for champagne Veuve Clicquot, flew up from London to talk through the various champagnes with the audience. The champagnes were paired with canapés prepared by students and their chef lecturer and celebrity TV chef, Eadie Manson. Once they had sampled the great food and bubbles, guests danced the night away with music from Banita Baugh and her Quartet Jazz Band.
During the event an additional 14 culinary arts students helped with front of house and eight prepared canapés in the kitchen.
Bryan McCabe-Bell, Director of Business, Enterprise and Tourism was MC for the event and was delighted that the event was such a great success. Said Bryan:
“What a fantastic event! We were delighted to work with the Rotary Club to put on such a fun evening which raised an amazing amount for charity thanks to the hard work put in by our students, staff and the Rotary Club members and the generosity of those who attended.
“All our students gained a great deal from the opportunity to put their skills in to practice and I’m especially proud of Kelsey, Rebecca, Nicole and Gayle who, supported by their lecturer Fiona McLeod, worked so very hard to make the evening the evening such a great success.”
Events student Gayle Wilson said: “Friday’s event was a fantastic learning experience and I was honoured to have been a part of the process of organising such a large scale event, it was a great success helping to raise £8,000 for local charities. A massive thank you to our lecturer Fiona McLeod and Fife College for allowing us to have the opportunity to bring this event together.”
President of the Rotary Club Dallas Mechan added: "One of the aims of the Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy is to be able to help people in our community and we were thrilled to have been able to raise so much for local causes at this event. We were overwhelmed with the support of everyone who contributed to the evening to make it such a sparkling success. We also owe a huge thanks to the staff and students of Fife College for their part in making it a very special night."
