Well it was a real whirlwind but I have to say it’s been one of the most meaningful events we’ve ever produced. Read all about the planning of the Gala at the Gorge as well as the results in our blog here.
The Cause: Ward D603
We were delighted to arrange the Gala at the Gorge as part of our charitable activity in 2019. This is a wonderful cause – Ward D603 is the regional oncology & haematology unit covering the entire of the South West – from Cornwall to Bristol, and the Ward has seen no major investment since the 1970s. It urgently needs refurbishment to provide the very best care for patients and relatives going through the darkest of days. We were already part of a team of 10 climbing the National Three Peaks (as one does!) to raise funds for the cause, and the Gala the Gorge was our effort.
Key Facts: Gala at the Gorge
Charity: Above & Beyond (https://www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk/)
Hospital: University Hospitals Bristol – the Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre (http://www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/)
Guests: 64 | Budget: £0 | Funds Raised £3,896.50 | Print Partner: PRISM (all donated FOC)
This was a great passion-project, effectively without a client as such, aside from being conscious of the Above & Beyond and UH Bristol branding, I set about creating a clear identity for the event, after sourcing a beautiful and newly re-developed property, just a mile from the Ward in question with sweeping views of the Clifton suspension bridge. The Gala at the Gorge was born!
Building a credible event
With this occasion we were having to go out and sell tickets to ultimately provide a charitable donation as well as deliver a wonderful experience, which means naturally the Gala seats came at a price. Through our network of HNW clients and our social channels and e-communications (over 30k followers/subscribers) we set about promoting the occasion – once we had on board the key brands to support the auction / raffle, which naturally added kudos to the event.
Through our industry connections, we secured an impressive set of auction lots with a retail value in the region of £17,000, along with a beautiful raffle with an average prize value of £200. We teamed up with these key brands on social in advance of the event to support the online ticket sales, and the key partners also carried our beautiful postcards.
Consistent branding
The Gala was bright and bold, using cerise and sulphur throughout and the typeface Buttercup for titles and accents. Our design work included a plethora of digital assets for newsletters and social media, as well as our postcards, on the night program, posters and corporate packs.
Reach
Our campaigns included several Facebook advertisements alongside the offline positioning of the postcards in John Lewis, the Ivy, Cowley Manor, Margaret Dabbs and more, as well as campaigns on LinkedIn and Instagram. In addition to the newsletter and general social reach, we also contacted business leaders in Bristol to share the details of the event and encourage corporate table bookings and sponsors.
Hosting
We’re as at home hosting events as we are planning and marketing them. On the night, we decided to conduct the auction ourselves as well as a tear-jerking introduction to the event delivered by Gavin. In the images above you can see us working the auction with the help of our dear friend from the RAF James Bailey, and an example of the on-screen imagery used which we displayed on TVs around the room.
Dancing the Night Away
After the auction and raffle of course came dancing and fun. The guests had enjoyed a great evening of lovely food, champagne, lovely goody bags with a treat from Bamford (https://www.bamford.com/uk/) and there was a real buzz in the room at the wonderful amount of money raised and the good that had been done.
Now all that’s left to do is arrange delivery of some of the lots, including the private yacht charter!
Watch this space for our next charity do…
Elliott
great expectations 