Landmark Event
A host of leading doctors, business leaders and heads of the medical and shipping industries joined together 31st January 2009 to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Mercy Ships.
Among the 130 guests being entertained at the prestigious Landmark Hotel in London with exquisite food and live bands, were Mercy Ship volunteers, the true heroes behind the charity.
Every year hundreds of doctors, nurses, cooks and engineers give up their lives in the UK and make their way to Africa to volunteer with Mercy Ships.
Professor The Lord McColl of Dulwich CBE, Chairman of Mercy Ships UK and retired professor of surgery at Guy’s Hospital in London, hosted the evening.
He said, “The ball was a fantastic evening enjoyed by everyone. It was overwhelming to see so many people turn up and show their support.
“It is the selfless volunteers of Mercy Ships who have made the organisation so successful over the last 30 years. Without such people, Mercy Ships would simply cease to exist. This ball was about recognising that, about saying thank you to the volunteers and about sharing with old and new friends what Mercy Ships is all about”.
A wide range of items were donated and auctioned on the night including the rare opportunity to take a flight in the world’s only surviving de Havilland Queen Bee and a commissioned painting by the renowned artist Martin Ash just to name a few.
The evening of the ball also marked the next voyage of the Africa Mercy, the world’s largest charity hospital ship which set sail to Benin that evening, where it will begin a 10 month field service. Benin is one of the poorest countries in the world and is in desperate need of humanitarian help.
Over the last 30 years Mercy Ships has given thousands of people the chance of a better life – alleviating their suffering from painful deformities, injuries and tumours.
Judy Polkinhorn, Executive Director of Mercy Ships UK said: “It was a delightful and thoroughly successful evening enjoyed by all. The venue was superb with glorious food and brilliant entertainment. We were all blown away with the success of the auction and support of the guests.
“We were able to show our gratitude to the volunteers and everyone who has been involved with Mercy Ships over the last 30 years. The work of Mercy Ships does really make a difference to so many people and we want the next 30 years to be just as wonderful”.