Ladies event raises thousands for Georgia Williams Trust
A ladies evening to raise funds for the Georgia Williams Trust could become an annual event after the inaugural night collected about £2,000.
Georgia’s mum Lynette Williams, who helped organise the event at The Best Western Valley Hotel in Ironbridge, said it was a huge success and a night that Georgia would have loved.
Mrs Williams said: “We are waiting for the final figures but it is about £2,000 we have raised.
“We were not expecting to raise that much, just hoping, but more than 100 people came and everyone was so generous with donations and buying raffle tickets.
“It really was excellent, so many of Georgia’s friends and our family were there but I didn’t know everyone, people just came to support and everyone got on and had a great time.
“Georgia would have loved it, mixing with her mates and just having fun - it was a real tribute to her.”
The event took place on Friday 25 July and more than £500 was raised on a raffle organised by Georgia’s gran Jean Dayus.
Professional photographer Peter Depledge took pictures on the night and gave part of the money made to the trust, raising more than £100.
She added: “A lot of ladies have asked if we can make it an annual event because they enjoyed it so much and that is something we will think about doing.
“It is a lot of work but staff at the hotel were so helpful in making it a huge success and we have a lot of people to thank.
“The catering was excellent and the band, The Making, and DJ offered their services as soon as they heard it was for the Trust.”
Lisa Snape, sales and marketing manager at The Best Western Valley Hotel, has organised weddings and corporate events for the last 20 years but said this was an event is she particularly proud of.
She said: “We are so honoured to have put on this event for The Georgia Williams Trust.
“It was great to see so many ladies enjoying getting dressed up and having some fun to help keep Georgia’s legacy going.
“Everyone was talking about her and saying how much she would have loved the night and that is exactly what we aimed to do, give ladies a good night out in memory of a lady who made a lasting impact on Telford.
“To hear £2,000 has been raised is excellent, we would be more than happy to host this event annually and this figure just gives us a target of what to beat next year.”
The Georgia Williams Trust was founded shortly after the tragic death of the 17-year-old in Wellington in May last year.
The trust’s motto, “Free Your Spirit, Join In”, embodies the charity’s aim to enable young people to take part in the adventurous activities Georgia enjoyed.
Anyone aged between 11 and 18-years-old in Telford & Wrekin can apply for a grant from the Georgia Williams Trust of up to £250 and must demonstrate they will help fulfil the charity’s aims.
