TV pair to present a celebration of women as charities target a bigger lunchtime audience

Familiar faces from daytime TV will take to the stage next month to launch a new fundraising event devised by two of the region’s leading charities.

charity, empowering charities, people, and communities across Hull and East Yorkshire. By bringing ideas, people, and resources together, Smile leads the way on community voice and insight, health, and digital development to find solutions to voluntary sector challenges.

Smile supports frontline organisations, helping them to grow, develop and become sustainable, including organisations in crisis trying to meet the increasing demand and pressures on their services, especially in the current climate.

The Ladies Lunch emerged from the recognition that although the Sportsman’s Lunch delivers more money every year – up from £55,000 in 2022 to £75,000 last year – it sells out more than a year in advance.

Natasha said: “Capacity is just under 700 and we hit that every year. There are many more who want to attend but who just can’t get in, so we came up with the idea of another event which offers something different. We can’t compare it with the Sportsman’s Lunch because that’s been going since 1995 but we’re promoting it among our corporate and community contacts and we’re getting a good response.”

Tessa added: “It takes place during Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day is the week before, so the date complements the event perfectly. The aim is to raise funds and awareness of our two charities to continue our vital work, whilst providing inspiration, fun and an enjoyable afternoon for our guests.”

Both charities are confident that the combination of Louise Minchin as guest speaker and Caroline Hawley as auctioneer will help to cement the event in the fundraising calendar and support exciting new initiatives.

The event is sponsored by The Seafarers’ Charity, Gosschalks Solicitors, Summit Drive and Be Brand.

Deborah Layde, Chief Executive of The Seafarers’ Charity, said: “We have long supported Sailors’ Children’s Society in their vital work; our first grant to SCS was in 1918! Their support of seafaring families in need is still just as relevant. The Hull community’s historic, practical and financial support has been generously given for many, many years - the Ladies’ Lunch is a natural next step from the Sportsmen’s Lunch.”

Steve Savage, a Partner at Gosschalks, said: “The partners at Gosschalks are delighted to sponsor this inaugural Ladies Lunch supporting these two brilliant charities whilst championing the role that females play in powering the local economy.”

Annabel Walker, Operations Director, Summit Drive, said: “We are thrilled to be a main sponsor of the inaugural Ladies Lunch. This is a one of a kind event in the region and we wanted to back it from its inception so that the first event is amazing and to help it grow year on year. We know the work of Sailors’ Children’s Society and the Smile Foundation makes a huge difference in people’s lives across the region.”

For more information about the event and to donate auction prizes and raffle prizes. please contact Natasha Barley CEO of Sailors’ Children’s Society natasha. barley@sailorschildren.org.uk or Tessa Wray Head of Partnerships at the Smile Foundation tw@heysmilefoundation.org and established businesses that are high street lending. From boosting equipment / stock purchases to growth funding, our loans fund a wide needs across most business sectors. our lending decisions are made by