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Literary Fundraising Lunch 2009
On 30th November 2009, more than 90 AAA-NORCAP supporters gathered on the Terrace at the House of Commons to be welcomed by Evan Harris MP to the AAA-NORCAP Literary Lunch and Auction.
The mixture of AAA-NORCAP staff, volunteers, trustees and friends chatted informally over drinks with Clare Short MP, Evan Harris MP, Kate Adie, Lemn Sissay, Alan Sillitoe, Vanessa Gebbie, Jackie Walker and many of the contributors to “Something that never went away”, the AAA-NORCAP book edited by Perlita Harris.
After viewing the sixteen original works in the silent auction, the guests refilled t heir glasses to listen to Kate Adie and Lemn Sissay, who between them provided a memorable blend of first hand experience and passion about adoption.
The company then adjourned to the Churchill Room for a formal (but informal) three course meal, interrupted only by the division bell and a post-code lottery for a table full of prizes, including signed books, wine and champagne. As the coffee and petit fours were served, Chris Waterman auctioned the sketch drawn by Tracy Emin. After a slow start, the price quickly rose to £800 – and Kate Adie went home with the original tucked under her arm.
All in all, the lunch met its objectives of raising the profile of AAA-NORCAP and contributing significantly to AAA-NORCAP funds. More importantly, so the feedback tells us, was the opportunity for so many adults affected by adoption to meet up and make contact with others.
Time will tell what else will develop as a result of the event, but there will soon be about £5,000 in the bank and plenty of stories to share over Christmas.
"It was the most brilliant event.
Thank you for including my work in the
lovely anthology."
Vanessa Gebbie,
Author of Words from a Glass Bubble and adopted adult.
"Thank you for the opportunity to experience a wonderful day yesterday. It was my first time in the House of Commons and felt quite surreal drinking with such distinguished company in such a beautiful and historic setting.
I grew up listening to Kate Adie on the news as BBC1 News was compulsive viewing in our home, so to hear Kate speak so strongly about adoption and to know that too was her experience, is quite amazing.
The Book was amazing, the cover design was engaging and the mix of writings and drawings works really well.
Although I knew something of what I had written might be included, when I saw it, it was really shocking… It seems completely unfathomable that my words might be bound together with the works of such talented others.
I am still inspired from the AAA – NORCAP day, it was so amazing to think of so many people connected with adoption altogether and there was such a positive feel around the rooms."
Anna Ratcliff, Minister and Adopted Adult
