ORGANISERS of a charity ball were suddenly left £4,000 down and without a venue after the catering and events company went into administration nine days before the event.
A Ladies Starlight Ball in memory of two women who died during the Covid-19 pandemic was due to take place on Saturday at Eskmills Venue in Musselburgh.
However, just days before it was set to take place, the group behind the ball received the news that Hickory, which is based at Eskmills, had gone into administration.
READ MORE: Concerns as catering and events company Hickory enters administration
The organisers were not informed of the situation directly, instead hearing rumours and seeing a post on Facebook group Musselburgh Folks from an employee.
A total of £4,000 had already been paid to the company, which the organisers think is “very unlikely” to be recovered.
They were then left scrambling to find a new venue at the last minute.
Several businesses saw their plight online and reached out to offer support.
Management at Marine North Berwick contacted the organisers to offer to host the event so that the ball could go ahead on Saturday as planned.
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The hotel has provided the room free of charge, the canapés at cost price and is sponsoring a free glass of fizz for guests on arrival.
The ball has been organised by a group of women from Meet Up and Walk - Ladies in East Lothian in memory of members Heather Cowan and Diane O’Connor, who passed away suddenly in 2021.
Emma Brown, who is leading the organisation, said in a Facebook post: "We have been overwhelmed at their generosity of free room hire, sponsoring the arrival drink and giving us canapés at cost price.
"A massive thank you to Kelly Greenhalgh-Addie, who reached out to us to see if they could help.
"Isn’t it great when a local business turns a bad situation around?
"The new venue is even more poignant, as Heather Cowan and Diane O'Connor both lived in North Berwick."
Securing the new venue cost £950, which has been paid using the remaining funds due to go to the charities, and the organisers have launched a JustGiving page to make up the difference so that the charities do not miss out as a result of the situation.
Just three days since it opened for donations, the crowdfunder has already surpassed the target, having raised more than £1,000.
Donations to the fundraiser can be made at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ladies-starlight-ball
Local businesses have also got involved with the event, offering prizes for the raffle and auction.
The top prize for the auction is two tickets for flights to New York, courtesy of JetBlue. Also on offer is a family photoshoot and tickets to two Hibernian football games.
Vouchers have also been donated from businesses including Ravelston House, The Willow, Strawberry Corner Garden Centre, and Pollination Plants and Flowers.
The Ladies Starlight Charity Ball takes place from 7pm on Saturday.
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