Needlemakers' Reception in aid of the Sheriffs' and Recorder's Fund

The Master hosted 150 Needlemakers and friends at Rothschild's on Thursday 12 May. We raised £25,000 for the fund, which provides vital support to ex prisoners on release. Our special guests were TRH Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, together with the Sheriffs and the Recorder.

Lady Brewer, Chairman of the Fund, has written to the Master saying 'the text I received from the Recorder said ''a triumph!'' - and I agree. On behalf of the Fund so very many thanks indeed for your inspired idea to help us. It is an amazing sum of money to make for a small charity such as ours'.

The Master said: 'Our Company has supported the Fund for many years: it is at the heart of the City and very effective on a small budget. Re-offending by those supported by the Fund is down from the national average (50%) to only 10%. We were inspired to hear from Steven Makoko and Alex Spence the difference the Fund has made to their lives, as well as from Jonathan Aitken.

I am so grateful to all the Liverymen who so generously supported the Reception. I also want to thank our generous sponsors, Rothschilds, Gallery Capital Management and Stanhope.'

Karla Gowlett took some excellent photographs of the evening which can be viewed at:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/kgowlett/5DQ1x7