Pictured: (l-r) Jon Bellfield, managing director of
Barberry Developments and co-host for the event, Fiona Ludlow,
Nancy James and Paul Ludlow
A Worcestershire holiday farm, which provides breaks for
disadvantaged children, has been given a cash boost from the
proceeds of a charity event.
The Late Summer Ball was organised by The Fine Fourteen, a
Stourbridge-based charity that comprises 14 local businessmen. Jon
Bellfield, managing director of Worcestershire-based Barberry
Developments and the longest serving member of the charity, helped
organise the event, which was held at fellow Barberry director Paul
Watson's home, and raised in excess of £12,000 for Dodford
Children's Holiday Farm. Guests included many business leaders and
key figures in the commercial property sector.
Originally founded by the Cadbury's family in 1952, Dodford
Children's Holiday Farm provides the opportunity for
underprivileged children in Birmingham and the Midlands to have a
holiday on a small farm in the Worcestershire countryside.
As part of the evening's festivities, Digby Lord Jones of
Birmingham, who was also the master of ceremonies, donated an
auction prize of a visit to the House of Lords with lunch in the
Peers Dining Room, which proved very popular with bidders.
Other lots included a box at Worcester Warriors Rugby Club
and a shooting day.
Jon Bellfield said: "Barberry Developments is pleased to support
projects like the Dodford Children's Holiday Farm, which helps to
improve the education and wellbeing of underprivileged children,
and their families, in our local area. Surprisingly, there are
still children who haven't seen sheep, goats and ponies, so it's
nice that this charity can give them more awareness and
experiences."
Judith Williams, from Dodford Children's Holiday Farm, said: "We
aim to give disadvantaged families living in urban areas a positive
residential experience in the countryside. The money raised from
the Late Summer Ball will mean that we can give even more people
the opportunity to escape their home situations and have some fun
on the farm."