January - 2016

Ravi Bopara Benefit Dinner - 3^rd June

As a long standing supporter of IODR, we were honoured to host Ravi Bopara's Benefit Dinner at the Grange St Pauls Hotel in addition to Ravi taking on IODR as one of his beneficiary charities. Guests heard from the main man himself  before the evening's Q&A was hosted by Sky presenter Sarah-Jane Mee with Bopara being joined on stage by Kevin Pieterson for a thrilling and insightful viewpoint. Guests were given the opportunity to dig deep with the live and silent auctions including scores of great prizes ranging from sporting tickets to luxury holidays and experiences. The guest list included many sporting names but not just from the cricketing world! Serge Betsen was in attendance; the first of a number of events he would attend and co-host with IODR.

LIFF Charity Gala for Nepal

As the exclusive Hotel Partner to the London Indian Film Festival, the Grange St Pauls Hotel welcomed celebrities from the world of film for a Charity Gala and Screening. The leading lady was Nepal's Manisha Koirala who was so moved by IODR's work to help Nepal following its earthquake that she pledged her time to make this event possible. Directors Mani Ratnam and Richie Metha also attended. The evening commenced with a screening of Siddharth in the hotel's private member's club, followed by a sumptuous Indian banquet for the 200 guests in attendance. The audience were treated to a Q&A with Koirala and Ratnam hosted by Asjad Nazir - a South Asian showbiz journalist and Entertainment Editor, before sitting back to enjoy an exclusive screening of Bombay. Special thanks to Khukuri who sponsored beers during the Drinks Reception.

Kumar Sangakkara Dinner

Highly regarded as one of the world's most influential cricketers of his time, Kumar Sangakkara choose IODR as his beneficiary charity at his recent dinner dance. The schedule was a fun-filled with stage performances from Chooi Malli and Podi Manlli; a comedy duo. Sangakkara wowed his audience with a Q&A after dinner before guests danced the night away to live entertainment. Our thanks to 'Sanga' for making IODR your charity beneficiary.

An Evening with Serge and Friends

IODR were delighted to enjoy a joint charity fundraiser with SBA - the Serge Betsen Academy at the Grange St Pauls Hotel in October. The evening  commenced with a star studded drinks and canapés reception with Serge and the likes of Simon Shaw, Lee Mears, Iain Balshaw, Yann Delaigue, Aubin Hueber, Lionel Faure, William Gallas, Alex Song, Guy Demel and Darcel Yandzi all in attendance. The evening's formal proceedings were opened by MC for the night, Sky presenter Alex Payne followed by introductions from the Serge Betsen Academy and IODR. Serge and his colleagues later took to the stage for a Q&A following a lavish 4 course meal for the 350 guests who attended. The evening's live auctioneer Peter Scrivener did an outstanding job in raising as much money as possible for the two charities and guests rewarded him in their generous bidding. The Silent Auction House was Signature Fundraising. Guests danced to live entertainment by The Fabulous Fug Band who opened their performance with The Marseille of the Commune to rapturous applause. Special thanks to Crozes and Khukuri who sponsored the wines and beers respectively.

London Loves Excellence Awards

IODR were delighted to be the beneficiary charity at this year's LondonLovesExcellence Awards which was hosted at the Grange St Pauls Hotel on 15th October. Recognised as a celebration of business excellence and success, the Awards saw many of the UK's top entrepreneurs and business leaders be shortlisted, with 400 guests in attendance in anticipation of collecting the winner's trophy! The charity benefitted from generous donations during the live and silent auctions. We are grateful also to those who donated prizes to ensure our maximum fundraising.

Faure Requiem, Temple Church

On 17^th November, together with the Brandenburg Choral Festival of London, Grange Hotels brought ‘Fauré Requiem’ to the spectacular Temple Church with IODR as the beneficiary charity.