Autumn Update – Vasculitis Scotland launch, The Black & Red Ball 2016
Late summer/early autumn is usually a busy period at LCTF as all the planning and preparation goes into The Black & Red Ball. This year has been particularly busy as a few other initiatives were launched to coincide with our annual fundraising event.
Over 250 guests supported LCTF at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow for this year’s Black & Red Ball. Classic boyband Five, X- Factor star Nicholas MacDonald and GAMTA provided spectacular entertainment on an evening that raised over £14,000 for the charity. It is great to see so many people return to the B&R year on year as it proves to be a fantastic night out as well as an effective fundraiser and awareness event for a worthy cause. Guests enjoyed a champagne reception before taking their seats for a three-course meal and the night’s entertainment.
This year’s Ball had a extra purpose this year, it was the opportunity to launch not just one, but two fantastic initiatives that have been months in the making. Firstly, the new Vasculitis Scotland website went live. www.Vascuitis-Scotland.org is the new platform and identity for the support services arm of The Lauren Currie Twilight Foundation. The new website contains information on vasculitis as well as access to support group news and events.
TV awareness campaign #jointhedots
In addition to the website launch, those at The Black & Red Ball witnessed the premiere of our first TV awareness campaign. Our new advert ran on STVWest, STVGlasgow, STVEdinburgh during the first two weeks of October. Increasing awareness of vasculitis is one the the key objectives of the charity along with providing support services and funding research/education. Each of these three objectives are hugely important and work in harmony with one another. We feel this campaign targets two groups – people unaware of vasculitis and people who may benefit from our support services. TV was an ideal, high profile platform to raise awareness of both vasculitis, and the services our charity provide. The advert also acts as a short awareness video for use online.
Overall, The Black & Red 20116 was a huge success. Many thanks to those who attended, helped out with the planning, those who donated on the night or through the online auction, and those who helped promote the event. This all helps us to do what we do.
Watch the advert here – https://www.facebook.com/thelaurencurrietwilightfoundation/videos/1236187916404522/
Ayrshire Business Week
On October 4th, LCTF attended Ayrshire On Show, Ayrshire Business Week’s networking conference. As you may know, LCTF is registered in Ayrshire so it was great to engage with local businesses in the area. It was very encouraging to hear and see that so many people were aware of the charity (and that people caught the advert on TV!!). It was a useful days work, with connections made that could lead to projects in the future.
Support Groups
This quarter’s Support Group theme is Carers. We were delighted to be joined by The Carers Trust at the support group in Glasgow. We received some useful information on the support available to carers and some of the issues affecting this area. This information will be put on Vasculitis-Scotland.org soon. We will be joined by local carer organisations at our support groups in Aberdeen (22nd Oct) and Edinburgh (5th Nov).
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