Page 15 - Wish Stream Year of 2019

the first auction period, we drew the raffle, with Cadets and guests parading their new-found riches around the dining room.
the five ‘high ticket’ items; those we thought would encourage the greatest bidding wars. Prizes such as a parking space in front of New
After dinner we quickly got stuck
into the ceilidh. ‘License to Cei-
lidh’, of Made in Chelsea fame,
had come all the way from London
for the event and put on a fantas-
tic performance. The same cannot
be said for all the dancers, myself
included, who couldn’t wrap their
heads around the more complex
manoeuvres, despite ten months
of drill at RMAS. However, from
the most inexperienced to battle-
hardened Scottish couples, everyone had a fan- tastic time, spinning, twirling and tripping their way around the dance floor.
In the interlude between the two ceilidh sets, we had the second part of our auction. This entailed
College, a speech as the ‘sovereign’s representative’ for the Adjutant’s parade and a pizza delivery on Exer- cise Dynamic Victory did not disap- point, leading to epic bidding wars. This was particularly true amongst our International Cadets who gave to charity with selfless commitment.
Overall, thanks to those that donated prizes, the Officer Cadets and of course guests; we were able to raise an exciting £16,500 for our chari-
ties: Veterans Change Partnership and the Army Benevolent Fund. There is no doubt that this money will go directly to helping soldiers, vet- erans and their families through the trials and tribulations they are facing now and may face in the future.
This was particularly true amongst our International Cadets who gave to charity with selfless commitment.
Gaza Company Dinner Night
Saturday 5th October was an evening to remember for Gaza Company and their guests as the ‘black-tie with a Bavarian
twist’ dinner took place in New College. Another twist in the night was the auction and raffle, which saw a variety of prizes won in support of the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) and Hop- lite Fund. By the end of the night a staggering £25,820.00 was raised for the two charities that help change the lives of serving soldiers, veter- ans and their dependants.
2019 marks the 75th anniversary of the ABF, first starting in 1944 to ensure soldiers returning from World War Two were well cared for. Since then, they have continually expanded the oppor- tunities that they provide for soldiers and their families. They range from medical and financial assistance to housing and education facilities for young and old families, to support the people that need and deserve it most.
The Hoplite Fund is another charity that helps soldiers in need; however, it supports those belonging to 18 (UKSF) Signal Regiment. We were delighted to be able to help those who represent this country as a part of the Special
Forces. The Fund supports the members of the unit and their families where Defence provision cannot. It is a responsive and agile charity that can act immediately to offer welfare support of all types, often at a minute’s notice. In the past few years it has bought flights for a soldier to return home to Fiji to visit a dying family member that fell outside JCCC regulations, purchased a specialist wheelchair for a disabled serviceman to compete at the Paralympics, and provided support to the families of a serviceman in the process and aftermath of their funerals.
It is these charities that are sadly necessary but reassure and protect those in need and their families. As we continue throughout our careers in the British Army, it will become apparent to all of us how much these charities do and how significantly they can improve the lives of those who need it most.
We would like to thank everybody who attended Gaza Company’s Dinner Night, especially those who donated prizes for auctions and to those who bought them. Without you, we would not have been able to give these two charities the substantial amount of money they deserve.
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