Latest News and Press Releases
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A View from a Patron’s Organisation – ‘Hero’
Our ninth Patron’s Hero is George Kanetti from Reedham Children’s Trust. Reedham Children’s Trust has been helping children for more than 170 years. They began in 1844 as an orphanage founded by the Reverend Dr Andrew Reed; after 100 years Reedham became a residential school, which closed in 1980. Since then they have used their investment income to support vulnerable children by funding grants for their care and education at residential schools.
George, a Reedham Old Scholar and Treasurer of the Reedham Old Scholars’ Association (ROSA), began boarding at Reedham in 1963 and thrived, becoming a school prefect and then Head Boy. He was even featured in a fundraising film for Reedham and for many years was proudly referred to as ‘the face of Reedham’.
George remains an active advocate for Reedham: in addition to his role as Treasurer of ROSA he runs the ROSA website and produces a twice-yearly newsletter for the 250 Reedham alumni spread across the globe.
A View from a Patron’s Organisation – ‘Hero’
Our eighth Patron’s Hero is Lauren Mullarkey from Seashell Trust. Seashell Trust is a national charity dedicated to providing a creative, happy and secure learning environment for children and young people who have a range of complex and severe neuro-disabilities. Their students, who come from all over the UK, are aged between 2 and 25 and many have little or no verbal communication abilities.
Lauren is an experienced Creative Practitioner and Art Educator, who has a passion for teaching art to students with complex needs. She is keen to develop collaborative working practice at Seashell Trust and says, “I’m lucky enough to work alongside some extremely innovative musicians in residence and a talented dance teacher. We are all full of ideas and dedicated to providing the best and most accessible cultural experiences for our students.”
A View from a Patron’s Organisation – ‘Hero’
Our seventh Patron’s Hero is Reece Harrison from The Scouts, UK’s biggest mixed youth organisation. They change lives by offering 6- to 25-year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance to help others so that they make a positive impact in communities.
Reece is the Assistant Group Scout Leader for the 231st ShireGreen Scout Group in Sheffield. He has been involved with this Scout group for over half his life, supporting all its leaders.
He arranges for Scouts to go on camps and activity days that are designed to get the young people into the surrounding countryside. In the last year the group has opened two new sections, which Reece says is “our greatest achievement of the year”. In addition to his work for the young people in his community, Recce is working toward his own Queen’s Scout Award which will give him the chance for personnel growth and development.
A View from a Patron’s Organisation – ‘Hero’
Our sixth Patron’s Hero is Jim Duffy from ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, the National Charity of the British Army. They give a lifetime of support to soldiers, veterans and their immediate families, in times of need.
Jim has served as Briefing Liaison Officer with ABF The Soldiers’ Charity since 2010. He was the first person ever appointed to this role, raising awareness of the charity’s services to current and former soldiers, as well as their families.
Jim was inspired to join ABF The Soldier’s Charity after serving with the British Army for 22 years. He achieved the rank of Company Sergeant Major within the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and tours of duty took him to Bosnia, Ireland and Kosovo.
A View from a Patron’s Organisation – ‘Hero’
Our fifth Patron’s Hero is Sarah Dell from Friends of the Elderly, one of the UK’s longest running charities supporting older people.
Sarah has been volunteering at Friends of the Elderly’s Hampshire care home for three years. Sarah visits the care home a minimum of once a week and hosts activities for the people who live there. She has also set up links with local schools, Scout groups and local groups, meaning the home is well connected in the community.
Her dog, Borris, is a firm favourite with the residents – she takes him to the care home regularly so that people who live there can walk him around the gardens and the local village.
How to make the perfect jug of Pimm’s
Watch the Pimm’s footman make the perfect jug of Pimm’s and see how you can prepare for summer here.
Pimm’s are also offering some fantastic party essentials for Patron’s Lunch inspired events across the nation. Click here to complete your wish list and register your details.
A View from a Patron’s Organisation – ‘Hero’
Our fourth Patron’s Hero is Rajni Kant Singh from Lepra, an international charity changing the lives of people affected by disease, poverty and prejudice.
Rajni hails from Bihar in India. It is here that he began his career working in the field of leprosy. Rajni himself lives with his wife and two children, one of which attends medical school herself.
Through innovative approaches and research along with personal contact and understanding of the people of Bihar, Rajni has made a huge impact to the way in which Lepra work. He is well-known internationally and regularly consulted by other NGOs, governments and communities on the topic of leprosy. Despite his management role, Rajni remains hands on with patients spending 20 days out of the month in the field. He truly comes alive when interacting with patients.
A View from a Patron’s Organisation – ‘Hero’
Our third Patron’s Hero is Telford Town Park, one of the many parks protected by Fields in Trust. In 2015 it was voted the UK’s Best Park.
Telford Town Park offers 150 hectares of striking green space, immersed with historical significance, satiated with rich ecological habitats and providing pockets of high quality play and open space. The Park provides free public open space and hosts a number of free community events held as well as charity events.
Official Hotel of The Patron’s Lunch
We are excited to welcome the InterContinental London Park Lane as our Official Hotel for The Patron’s Lunch.
The InterContinental London Park Lane is situated at one of the capital’s most prestigious addresses, InterContinental London Park Lane presents modern luxury accommodation in the heart of Mayfair. Inspired by its location overlooking the Royal Parks, the hotel delivers elegant natural interiors and award-winning seasonal cuisine. The flagship InterContinental Hotels & Resorts® property combines exemplary service with a Concierge team that brings insider London to life.
For more information visit their website- www.parklane.intercontinental.com
The Big Lunch
The Patron’s Lunch is pleased to have the support of The Big Lunch, the UK’s annual get-together for neighbours, which is also on June 12.
Now in its eighth year, The Big Lunch is an idea from the Eden Project, made possible by the Big Lottery Fund, which encourages people across the UK to have fun with their neighbours, feeding community spirit and helping to build stronger communities.
Last year saw over 7 million people take to their streets, gardens, parks and community spaces in over 50,000 Big Lunch events.
You can find out more at www.thebiglunch.com and register for a free organisers’ pack to get you started.
A View from a Patron’s Organisation – ‘Hero’
Our second Patron’s Hero is Sue Goodman from the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) – one of the most influential dance education and training organisations in the world.
Sue has been working with RAD for more than 22 years and is the Programme and Artistic Director for Step into Dance: a fully inclusive community dance programme, created in partnership between the RAD and The Jack Petchey Foundation.
The programme has grown into the largest sustainable secondary school dance programme in the UK, operating in over 200 mainstream Secondary schools (including 54 Special Educational Needs schools and Pupil Referral Units) in London and Essex.
A View from a Patron’s Organisation – ‘Hero’
Our first Patron’s Hero is Patrick O’Hare from the leading national charity – Cruse Bereavement Care – providing bereavement support services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Patrick has been involved with the Cruse Youth Advisory Group (YAG) since 2007. After losing his father to a heart attack when he was just nine, Patrick was eventually introduced to Cruse.
For many years he has played a key role in YAG–speaking to his peers at school assemblies, helping interview and train Cruse volunteers and staff.
Marks & Spencer Reveals Hamper for The Patron’s Lunch Celebrations.
To find more details click through for the Press Release and downloadable Hamper Menu.
The Patron’s Lunch makes London’s Official Visitors Guide
We are very happy Visit London have included The Patron’s Lunch on their ‘Things to do’ page for this summer. Look for us under special events!
We hope lots of you will come and join in the celebrations and watch the event from the live sites in Green Park and St. James’s Park.
Click here to view the Visit London website to find other events London has to offer this summer.
Latest News – 8th February 2016
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) launches Volunteers Week 2016 – The Big Celebration to thank volunteers, which will be running for two weeks at the beginning of June this year.
The last day will coincide with The Patron’s Lunch on Sunday 12 June.
Click here for the press release and more information.
Latest News – 15th January 2016
The Patron’s Lunch – PUBLIC TICKET BALLOT UPDATE
In addition to the many Patron’s Organisations who will be represented on The Mall, members of the public will have an opportunity to join The Patron’s Lunch celebrations on June 12th.
A ballot will be open at www.thepatronslunch.com where members of the public can apply to purchase tickets to attend The Patron’s Lunch. Each ticket will cost £150 (£125 +VAT).
The ballot will open for four weeks from the end of February until the end of March.
Latest News – 15th January 2016
Take a closer look at this exciting picture we have of The Mall and the surrounding parks giving you an idea of the festivities we have planned on June 12th.
Click here to see the image on a larger scale.
Latest News – 15th January 2016
STREET PARTY GUIDANCE UPDATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
PRESS RELEASE – 9TH JULY 2015
10,000 EXPECTED FOR MALL STREET PARTY TO HONOUR HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
Media Enquiries
For all media enquiries please contact media@thepatronslunch.com