Last week over 100 local guests attended a charity event and auction at The Rainbow Inn in Cooksbridge, hosted by culinary legend Marco Pierre White, who recently reopened The Rainbow under the Wheeler’s of St James’s brand.
Throughout the evening guests, including Councillor Eileen Russell, Chair of Lewes District Council, and James Burns, Help For Heroes representative for Sussex, were treated to delicious canapés, glasses of champagne and pints of The Governor Ale and Cider. Edward Woodliffe (General Manager) and Angelo Di Giampaolo (Restaurant Manager and Sommelier) with Marco’s own executive chef Chris Warwick and Head Chef Neil Thornley, worked seamlessly under the constant eye of Marco as he welcomed guests, posed for photographs and signed memorabilia,
Julian Dawson, Partner at Gorringes Auction House in Lewes, did a first rate job of whipping up a bidding frenzy for fabulous lots which included a morning deer stalking with Marco, which Marco bidded up with added extras (such as breakfast and dinner and so forth) until the offer that was valued at ‘priceless’ reached a whopping £1300, and a further £1,000 after Marco took pity on the unsuccessful second highest bidders, offering them a night stalking as a runner up prize! An overnight stay at The Chequers in Maresfield fetched £400 and tea for two at the House of Commons, kindly donated by Norman Baker himself, raising a further £340. The final cheque, which will be presented to Help For Heroes next week, which will be for £6,300 – exceeding the organisers expectations by over £2,000.
James Burns (Help for Heroes) said: “We’re thrilled with the amount The Rainbow and Marco raised tonight – it’s fantastic to see at first hand how an event like this can really pull in the community spirit and make such a fantastic contribution to our charity. Help for Heroes is a national charity which provides practical, direct support for our current wounded, injured and sick service men and women. Help for Heroes is very active in Sussex with a network of volunteers who generously give up their valuable time to offer support to fund raisers throughout the county.”
The Rainbow Inn
Resting Oak Hill
Cooksbridge
E Sussex
BN8 4SS
Tel: 01273 400334
enquiries@rainbowsussex.com
www.rainbowsussex.com