Eddie-Judd-photography
Pictured: Damon Hill, MyAnna Buring and Sally Iddles
Formula One Legend & Downton Abbey Star Enjoy A Glittering Evening At Fetcham Park in aid of disabled children's charity 'Challengers'
Fetcham Park was certainly the place to be earlier this November when almost one hundred special guests gathered at the house to support local children’s charity Challengers. With ex-Formula One World Champion Damon Hill and Downton Abbey’s MyAnna Buring as guests of honour, the evening was every bit as glamorous as you would expect.
The luxurious Salon at Fetcham Park played host to society chef and caterer Sally Iddles’ pop-up restaurant. In the stunning Great Hall, the scene was set for a wonderful evening to raise funds for Challengers, a Surrey charity that provides exciting play and leisure opportunities for 1,400 disabled children and young people at their centres in Guildford and Farnham and through their projects across the region.
Buring, who plays scheming maid Edna Braithwaite in Downton Abbey, has been involved with the charity for some time, visiting their pre-school and also the site of their new building project recently to lend her support to their vital work.
“I've seen and heard first-hand the effects of the extraordinary work this charity does,” says Buring. “It really changes the lives of the children and families that come to its centres. Laura Sercombe and her incredible team work so hard and their attitude is inspirational.”
“I was introduced to the work of Challengers through a friend who had been involved with the Charity for years. I then met Laura and her team and saw the wonderful work they and the volunteers at the centres do,” continues Buring. “It was impossible to not want to be involved in supporting this.”
“We were thrilled to have two such wonderful supporters, Challengers’ patron Damon Hill and MyAnna Buring, with us on this very special evening,” says Laura Sercombe, Chief Executive of Challengers. “I’d like to thank everyone at Fetcham Park and especially Sally Iddles for her fabulous food. The evening was a huge success, raising over £16,500 towards our Big Build Appeal - a vital project for a purpose built Play Centre in Guildford, which will support up to thirty disabled children a day to enjoy fun, stimulating activities in a safe and supportive environment. We really can’t thank everyone involved enough for making this happen."
