On Thursday 4th April we saw over 1,300 guests arrive at Guildhall to enjoy a day packed with curry, silent auctions and prize draws, all in support of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. The atmosphere was electric with all guests ending their day with a stomach full of food and a smile on their faces.
HRH The Duke of Sussex, who was this year’s Royal Guest of Honour, made a return visit to the Lunch this year after his appearance in 2016. The Duke was a delight to host and he spent his time talking with our beneficiaries and interacting with others around him.
We are pleased to announce that this year, the 12th annual Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch, has raised an impressive £250,000. This milestone year brings the total amount raised since 2008 to more than an incredible £2.1 million. This is only the third time we’ve raised over £200,000 since it’s inception, the biggest year before being in 2016 when we raised £217,000.
This year’s Lunch will link with the Civic and Mayoral theme of employment and employability. As part of our giving we will provide financial support for veterans to take part in a Pain Management Programme at King Edward VII’s Hospital Centre for Veterans’ Health. This will assist with their transition into permanent, sustainable civilian employment. King Edward VII’s Hospital’s Centre for Veterans’ Health has developed – and tested – a six-month long Pain Management Programme specifically for veterans.
We’d like to extend our thanks not only to the guests we had the pleasure of hosting, but also to our very generous sponsors; British American Tobacco, SoftBank Investment Advisers, AdvantageGo, Rathbones Investment Management, all our sponsors in-kind; Noon Products, Kerry Foods, Private Cellar, Cobra Beer, Party Ingredients, Susannah Lovis, Harold Pinchbeck, Pol Roger, Coq d’Argent, Capital Coffee, CS Hodges, Aramark, Sodexo, the City of London Club, Country Life and City AM, the Livery Companies and Ward Clubs, all committee members, and last but not least, the volunteers who spent their day helping us make the event as great as possible. Without your support, we wouldn’t have been able to raise these vital funds for Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, veterans and their families.
If you came to the event and can’t wait for next year’s, or if you’re new to the wonderful world of The Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch, you can register your interest here.
We look forward to seeing you next April!