Nick Knowles Announced as #WHB19 Host
We’re delighted to announce that TV Star Nick Knowles has been confirmed to host January’s White Hat Ball, a glittering evening where the cyber and risk communities come together to raise money for NSPCC Childline.
Most recently seen on your screens during a successful stint on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Nick is probably best known as the presenter of BBC1’s most watched and longest running prime time factual series DIY SOS – The Big Build.
We’re really pleased to have Nick joining us to help raise much needed funds for NSPCC Childline to ensure no child ever goes unheard in their time of need.
Fancy Owning the Wedding Dress Worn by Kym Marsh on Coronation Street?
As we are now just over a week away from this year’s White Hat Ball we wanted to share with you a select few of our fantastic silent auction prizes which are now live to bid on – charitystars.com/collection/white-hat-ball
These are just a taster of what you can expect. There are lots more incredible auction prizes that will only be available to bid on at the Ball including the Ultimate Take That Package, an Interior Design Experience, Britain’s Got Talent Semi Final tickets, a 7 Night Stay in Tuscany and much more!
We still have a few tables available at the ball if you would like to join us, contact: Charlotte Bignell on 020 3772 9059 or charlotte.bignell@nspcc.org.uk
Strike a Pose at #WHB19
The 14th annual White Hat Ball is nearly upon us, held at the beautiful Royal Lancaster London. This year we will be entertaining guests once again with a GIF photo station from Showtime Photo Booth (a Showtime Events company). Grab some friends and use the props to make silly and funny animations, which you can then share across social media. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #WHB19 to help create a unique memento of the night!
The entertainment doesn’t end there as after dinner we will be cheering The Phat Cats back up on stage for a second year running. Performing a wide range of songs, this lively band will get everyone up on their feet and dancing into the small hours, ensuring this years White Hat Ball is the best one yet!
25 and 4 – Two Reasons to Book a Table for the White Hat Ball 2019
It’s 15 weeks to go to the next White Hat Ball, which will be on Friday 25th January at the Lancaster London Hotel, Lancaster Gate, London. It promises to be a great night. The White Hat Ball organising committee and our friends at NPSCC ChildLine have been working tirelessly to make sure it is. But it’s about now that I start to worry.
I don’t know about you, but whenever I’ve hosted any sort of party there comes a time when I start to worry about whether anyone will actually turn up. It’s not until people do that I’m able to finally relax. Of course the White Hat Ball is much grander and more complex, serving only to increase my anxiety. We have tables and sponsorship packages to sell, prizes to secure, etc, etc. Recently I was asked as the current Chair of the Committee to assist in choosing dishes from the hotel menu ahead of sampling and finally deciding what our 650 plus guests will eventually eat on the night. It’s a responsibility, and a worry, that I’d never quite thought of before, despite being on the Committee for some 10 years or so. It has also put a bizarre image in my mind that I’ll be part of a some sort of Master Chef scene, tasting and appraising the creations of a team of top hotel chefs. Yes me, from a family of miners one of whom took a packed lunch, (actually called dinner, the word ‘lunch’ doesn’t exist where I come from) down the pit for his entire working life (close to 40 years) that only ever comprised of a cheese and pickle sandwich and a flask of tea! Absolutely true.
Anyway, it’s now that we need your help. I ask that you take a moment to consider supporting the White Hat Ball and to reduce my anxiety! There are lots of ways you can do this. Obviously you can buy a ticket, better still a table. There are a number of sponsorship packages available that will promote your brand to an audience of senior, decision making risk and security professionals, and we are always seeking prizes that we can auction on the night.
As always, we will kick the evening off with a champagne reception followed by a sumptuous three course dinner and along the way they’ll be fun and games, and a smattering of celebrity ‘star dust’. Live music and dancing will continue into the early hours, so come along, let your hair down and have some good honest fun! And remember, every single penny we raise goes directly to NSPCC ChildLine.
For more information and to book your tickets, please contact Charlotte Bignell on 020 3772 9059 or charlotte.bignell@nspcc.org.uk Visit the White Hat website for more information. Follow us on Twitter for event updates and request to join the LinkedIn group to be part of the community. And you can always reach out to me directly either via linked in or via my work email address – mark.logsdon@prudential.co.uk
But why does it matter, why am I and my fellow committee members so passionate about the White Hat Ball and raising money for NSPCC ChildLine? Well, this is where the numbers 25 and 4 come in.
On average, every 25 seconds a desperate child calls ChildLine seeking help. Every 25 seconds! Think about it. I would say that by the time you’ve read this blog 3, possibly 4 children have rung ChildLine. Put another way that’s close to 3500 calls a day. It’s a sobering thought. To answer each of those calls it costs approximately £4. It’s not much is it? It’s less than the cost of a cheese and pickle sandwich and a cup of tea, less than a G&T at the end of a long day. It’s why every penny we raise is so important and why I find my anxiety growing.
So please, come and join us at the White Hat Ball. I promise you’ll enjoy it and go home safe in the knowledge that your enjoyment has ensured no child goes unheard, every call gets answered and vulnerable children get support in their moment of need.
Mark
White Hat Ball Raises Almost £200k for Childline #WHB18
A record-breaking £191,000 was raised for Childline at the annual White Hat Ball which took place at London’s Lancaster Hotel on Friday 26 January.
The Ball, which is now a major event in the information risk and security industry, has been running for 13 years and during that time raised more than £1.5million for the NSPCC’s Childline service.
As more young people are turning to Childline for help about issues they are encountering online the support given to the charity by the information security industry is becoming increasingly important. Last year there were over 12,000 counselling sessions with young people who talked to Childline about online issues such as sexual abuse, bullying and safety.
The White Hat Ball was hosted by ballroom dancer, singer and television presenter Anton du Beke and attended by 650 guests in the industry, as well as Childline founder Dame Esther Rantzen.
The evening, sponsored by KPMG, started with a champagne reception followed by a three-course dinner and music by live band, The Phat Cats, who have previously performed with the likes of Rita Ora, Adele and Nicole Scherzinger.
Chairman of this year’s White Hat Ball committee, Clive Room said: “Each year the White Hat Ball raises an amazing amount of money for a cause we are deeply passionate about. Thanks to all of those involved in making it happen, our sponsors and those who attended, donated and gave so generously.”
“I’m extremely proud to be part of an industry which has made such a difference to so many young lives over the past 13 years.”
The Ball also included various fundraisers including a silent auction, raffle, pledge and live auction conducted by committee chair Clive Room.
Childline president, Dame Esther Rantzen said: “At Childline we’ve become more aware of the dangers of the online world and it’s wonderful to have the support of an industry which is determined to help keep the internet safe.
“The money the information security and risk industry have raised will help us be there for more young people, some of whom are in desperate need of our help.”
A huge thank you to all our sponsors; KPMG, Barclay Simpson Recruitment, Prudential Plc, Qualys and (ISC) ² without whom the ball would not be possible.
#WHB18 Menu Sneak Peek
Not long to go now before we all meet up at The Lancaster in our finery on the 26th January.
To whet your appetites for what’s to come, I thought I might give you a sneak preview of the delicious menu we’ll be serving on the night.
Starters
Poached Brixham Dover sole fillet with a smoked salmon mousse, steamed leeks and a Champagne cream sauce
Vintage Cheddar Soufflé with roasted red peppers, creamed corn and wilted spinach (V)
Mains
Roasted West Country fillet of beef with pickled red onion, spinach and noisette potatoes, and a burgundy truffle jus
Wild mushroom, wilted spinach and smoked applewood money bag with a white wine cream sauce (V)
Dessert
Blackberry mousse with a pistachio sponge and pistachio ice cream
Sticky toffee pudding with a butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream
Coffee and petit fours
I’m looking forward to seeing you all on the 26th.
Kindest regards
Clive Room
Chair of White Hat Committee
Exclusive Silent Auction Preview #WHB18
With the WhiteHat Ball 2018 just 10 days away, we thought we’d treat you to a preview of the silent auction items that will be up for grabs on the night.
We will also have a selection of very exciting live auction items that will remain top secret until #WHB18 opens its doors – get your bidding hands ready, it’s going to be an exciting night!
Check out the silent auction items below and download the full list with descriptions here: White Hat Ball Silent Auction – Lot Information
Two Week Countdown to #WHB18
Happy New Year to you all. I can’t believe that Christmas has come and gone so quickly and here we are in 2018 already.
As we are now in the countdown to this year’s White Hat Ball, I thought it might be a good idea to run through some of the arrangements for people who are coming for the first time.
The champagne drinks reception will start from 6.30pm in the Westbourne Suite, where you will have an opportunity to mix and mingle with the other guests, buy raffle tickets for the draw later on in the evening and buy this year’s lapel pin. It’s also a chance to examine some of the lots on display for the silent and live auctions.
The dress code is black tie, so don your best dinner jacket, ball gown or snappy cocktail dress and don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes. Who knows, you may get to dance the rumba with our celebrity guest of honour – Anton Du Beke from Strictly!
The hotel does take cards but It’s always a good idea to have cash on you as well. Especially for things like raffle tickets. The hotel has undergone a major 5 star refurbishment since last year, so the ball will be grander than ever.
I look forward to seeing you on the 26th January 2018.
Kindest regards
Clive Room
Chair of White Hat Committee
Our host for the White Hat Ball has been confirmed…..welcome Anton du Beke! #WHB18
We’re delighted to announce that Strictly Star Anton du Beke has been confirmed to host January’s White Hat Ball at the Lancaster London.
Affectionately known as ‘the king of ballroom’ and a familiar sight on television, Anton is best known for appearing in every series of the BBC hit show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ aired to date. He is most famed for his pairing with the formidable Ann Widdecombe – with comedic routines reaching a record 11.9 million viewers and causing nothing short of a nationwide sensation. With the viewing public’s support he has also made ballroom belles of leading ladies including Lesley Garrett, Dame Esther Rantzen, Jerry Hall, Judy Murray, Lesley Joseph, and most recently Ruth Langsford.
Make sure to dust off your dancing shoes and join us for an evening of sparkling entertainment and maybe the odd pirouette or two!
We have a limited number of tables now left for the ball. To reserve yours please contact sarah.jeffery@nspcc.org.uk.