Despite Credit Crunch Last Night’s Take Heart Charity Ball Was a Sellout Success

London, United Kingdom, October 12, 2008 --(PR.com)-- London society came out 9th October 2008 to attend the annual Take Heart Charity Ball at the Kensington Roof Gardens. Guests included Princess Beatrice York, Peaches Geldof and Sam Branson. There was a “Cowboys and India” theme and almost 700 guests made a huge effort. The evening saw 20 performers lined up including dance off’s from Bollywood Grooves, Sexy tease dances and belly dancing with a 6 foot python from Circa Burlesque and live music from Miles Winter Roberts – who bought the sustainability message home by playing the latest mix of his song ‘Planet Mechanic’. Sponsorship from Virgin, Swarovski, Breitling, Societás and BraveNewTalent.com ensured a night of sparkling success. The evening surpassed all previous years raising £19,000 for the cause.

Charity Director Lucian Tarnowski describes Take Heart as ‘a youth-focused and youth supported charity’. This is reflected in the thirty-three strong committee made up of many leaders of tomorrow including Sam Branson (son of Sir Richard Branson), Ben Way (C4 Secret Millionaire and Millennium Entrepreneur of the Year), Simon Ambrose (Winner of the Apprentice) and Melissa Sterry (CEO of Societás). As it is an entirely voluntary organization, 100% of proceeds go directly into training blind students in IT skills - guaranteeing them a job for life.

Funds from previous balls have helped build a school, which has now trained over one thousand able-bodied students and has also trained one hundred and fifty blind students. Take Heart aims to help people regain their sense of dignity by providing practical job training and education. The wage generated by their skills in IT and handicrafts result in people no longer having to beg.

The money from the 2008 ball will go into building an accommodation house next to the school meaning students can come to the school for a 6-month course without having to spend days travelling.

Take Heart has funded the building of an IT and English language school in rural India. Take Heart projects support its parent organisation founded by Baba Amte who Gandhi dubbed ‘Conqueror of Fear’. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a close supporter of the project.

This year saw the death of Baba Amte, one of the world’s greatest social workers and founder of Take Heart’s home. Lucian reflects on the loss felt in the Take Heart community based in Anandwan; “I had the privilege of knowing Baba since I was nine, he has left with me the powerful message ‘Charity destroys, work builds’.

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