Chiswick charity gets festive

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Microloan Foundation holds Christmas fund raising reception

Chiswick-based charity the MicroLoan Foundation which helps some of the world’s poorest people become self sufficient by lending them money to set up small businesses in the Philippines and Malawi, recently hosted its first ever Christmas party at the Burlington Restaurant in Grove Park.

Fifty supporters enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a sumptuous three-course meal in the sophisticated surroundings of one of Chiswick’s top restaurants. A raffle and auction with prizes such as tea for two at the Ritz and a magnum of Moet et Chandon champagne helped bring the total raised on the evening to over £2,000.

Organiser Beryl Kessel told ChiswickW4.com: “It was a marvellous evening, enjoyed by everyone. The tickets sold out in no time and we are enormously grateful to Pippa and all the staff at the Burlington Restaurant for working so hard to make it such a success.”

Peter Ryan, Managing Trustee of the charity, added: “At a time of year when people are getting geared up to spend a fortune on Christmas presents and decorations it is perhaps even more appropriate to remember that not everyone is as fortunate as we are. The people we are working with can barely afford the basic necessities of life like food and clothing for their families. We rely entirely on the generosity of people at events like this to help us help them become self-sufficient for their daily needs.”

December 13, 2004