Sell out fundraising dinner raises £18,000 to support Cornwall’s young talent

On Wednesday 10th April, a fundraising dinner hosted by John Casson MBE at the stunning Idle Rocks in St Mawes, raised an impressive £18,000 for Young & Talented Cornwall.

Headed by Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE, Young & Talented Cornwall supports those young individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding talent but are struggling to achieve their ambition or progress in their chosen career because of hardship or disability. Every aspiring star in Cornwall, whether in sports, music, dance, theatre, creative writing, or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), deserves a chance to thrive.

The John Casson Foundation, founded in 2013 by John Casson MBE, is a trust with a core purpose to help develop young people in Devon and Cornwall. The foundation is committed to supporting young people through a variety of charitable avenues including the Young & Talented Cornwall Fund.

A limited number of 73 tickets were available for the event, which sold out in an impressive 10 days, indicating the high level of support the people of Cornwall have for these causes.

The guests were joined by Sir Richard Dearlove KCMG OBE, a retired British intelligence officer who headed up the British MI6. He impressed guests with his incredible recollection of stories from his 39-year tenure in the secret service including his postings in Nairobi, Prague, and Iraq. The evening was made possible thanks to sponsors Arbuthnot Latham and Ellis Wharton Wines.

Guests were welcomed with a champagne reception and canapés whilst Young & Talented Cornwall alumni, chorister and cellist, Imogen Dowse, brought the room to life with live music. Guests were then invited to sit down for a three-course dinner courtesy of Idle Rocks Executive Head Chef Stuart Shaw and his team at the Reef Knot Restaurant. In the live auction guests purchased from an array of prizes including artwork from local artists, dinner vouchers, signed rugby memorabilia and weekend stays.

Young & Talented Cornwall would like to thank the John Casson Foundation for organising such a wonderful event and to all of the guests whose generosity will help shape the future of so many talented young people from Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.