Recognising the need for the Company’s fundraising efforts to shift up a gear, this Committee was constituted in February 2008 with the aim of devising and managing the delivery of a programme of events aimed at boosting our charitable fund. The Committee has been chaired by Warden Geoff Llewellyn and has brought together Past Master Alan Broomhead, First Warden Mary Collis, Liverymen Julia Lever, David Johnson, Edward Sankey, Phil Swallow and Keith Stevens and has worked with invaluable support from many others including the successive Masters since that time and the Learned Clerk.

Since the first Spring Charity Gala was held at HMS President in April 2008, two further Gala Dinners have been held, at The Honourable Artillery Company HQ in 2009 and once again at HMS President in 2010. These events have combined excellent conviviality with very effective fundraising and between them have raised almost £70,000 for our Fund - greatly helping to address the financial challenges which the banking crisis and recession of the last few years have posed for all Charities. Significant gifts have been made possible to both the Sea Cadets and to the Centre for Charity Effectiveness due to the generosity and commitment of our members and their guests who have donated, and bid, handsomely for auction lots on all three occasions.

Particular thanks are due to Past Master Broomhead, Third Warden Edward Sankey and Liveryman Sally Garratt for their sustained engagement in these efforts, but a large number of Company Members have also given generously of their time to make the events a success.

While the major event in each year may have been the Gala Dinner, very important and valuable contributions have also been made by other events such as the “ Call my Bluff” wine-tasting events held twice at the HQ of the Inns of Court Yeomanry and the innovative “Wine Paulee” modelled on the Provencal wine festival and devised by Past Master William Barnard. Useful contributions have also been made, by dint of much worn shoe-leather, as the Learned Clerk and at least one Warden on each occasion have participated in the Livery Hall Sponsored Walk which is dedicated to architectural appreciation of the City’s Halls and has no connection whatever with the liquid hospitality available at each stopping point on the route!

Looking forward from 2011, the major focus for the Company’s fundraising in the coming year will be the 2012 Gala Dinner which will coincide with the Twentieth Anniversary of the Company’s founding and the London Olympics Year. Much hard work on this project has already been led by First Warden Mary Collis, supported by Liveryman Sally Garratt, and we look forward to a very successful event in May 2012. Company Members who would like to become more actively engaged in preparation of this event will be very welcome and should contact Liveryman Garratt to put their shoulders to the wheel.