Ian Noble

Ian has raised over £20k for the charity, Street Child Africa, through organising, selling tickets for, and hosting a charity auction dinner on 31st March 2011.

Over 180 people attended the event at the Holiday Inn Kingston where Ian had come up with the original concept, gained agreement from the charity to organise the event, galvanise local businesses to support it, then lead the team that delivered the event. He also was the host of the evening, and main auctioneer during the charity auction. His passion and energy were fundamental through every stage.

Street Child Africa works in deprived parts of Africa to help children move off the streets or to receive basic food, clothes, shelter and eduction really struck a chord with Ian and he decided to do something to help.

Having helped organise a charity beard growing contest in Autumn 2010, Ian got the idea of trying to organise a bigger event, though his proven networking and leadership skills, whilst also helping local businesses to network and support a charity.

Ian sold the idea to the Board of the charity and gained their agreement to run it. He the quickly assembled the team necessary to get the event off the ground, including influencing local hotel to offer a discount, form and run an organising committee and gain a celebrity guest to attend - John Salako, former premier league footballer.

£20k is enough to fund 15 youth workers for a year, or 2000 school uniforms to allow 2000 children to attend school.

We have extended our partnership with Street Child Africa and will doubtless do more fundraising with them, helping to cement our message of being a Force For Good in the communities where we operate.