More than £14,000 has been raised to support the educational needs of Holyhead’s young people at a dinner hosted by Ynys Môn MP Virginia Crosbie.
Ninety people were at Braids Bistro, Holyhead Golf Club last Thursday for the event in aid of the John Cave Memorial School Fund.
The guest of honour was the Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride, who gave a speech and was presented with a bottle of Anglesey Toffoc.
Guests dined on a vegetarian risotto with goats cheese and butternut squash or boeuf bourguignon with creamed potatoes and green beans. Dessert was sticky toffee pudding with custard or cheese and biscuits.
Virginia was the auctioneer for the evening and items that went under the hammer to raise the impressive sum included: a ferry ticket from Holyhead to Dublin, train tickets to London or Edinburgh, a trip for 12 on the Holyhead lifeboat and a Wales football team shirt signed by all the players.
“What a great night and the best ever total raised for a wonderful local charity that helps our young and works in memory of one of Holyhead’s most dedicated community figures,” said Virginia.
“I enjoy hosting these events because it shows everyone what a generous island we are and how we care about groups and organisations that enrich our communities.
"Thank you to all those wonderful companies and groups that donated prizes and to those who gave so generously for them.”
Mel Stride said: “It was a real pleasure to be invited to this entertaining fundraising event by Virginia and to see how generous the people of Ynys Môn are.
“A staggering sum was raised and the sense of optimism and community was infectious. Thank you to everyone who made me so welcome.”
The latest event was Virginia’s 11th large fundraiser she has either organised or supported since her election in 2019.
So far, she has helped raise nearly £42,000 for local charities and community initiatives.
Previous fundraisers include: Cleft, Anglesey Riding for the Disabled, Anglesey Show, Anglesey Hawks Wheelchair Basketball team, Holyhead Students, Amlwch Town Football Club, Môn-SAR, SSAFA veterans, Holyhead Hotspurs and the Island Games ladies football team.
John Cave MBE was a knowledgeable and well-respected Holyhead historian who had a strong desire to pass on the town’s rich heritage on to future generations and his memorial fund does just that.
