Friends Raising Oodles of Money in (good) Company, otherwise known as Frolic, raise money for local charities and good causes. Meeting once a month for lunch, the 12 members organise boot fairs, good second hand clothes sales and have stalls at local fetes and fairs.
Demelza Children’s Hospice and Dementia UK (East Sussex) were this year’s beneficiaries of “Jazz in the Barn”, which is Frolic’s biggest fundraiser of the year, this being the third year it has been held. The venue was a wonderful old barn in Iden, lent courtesy of Jim and Gill Wood. Some 70 people bought tickets for the event, and were greeted by a very welcome Pimm’s. Seated at long tables in the soaring space, they were entertained by the Benenden Jazz Band, a five-piece ensemble with an excellent singer. Their repertoire included such favourites as Cry me a River (Hamilton), Georgia on my Mind (Carmichael and Gorrell), and Misty, the Ella Fitzgerald classic.
In the interval, a delicious ploughman’s supper was served by Frolic’s members, followed by a rousing second set. Sadly, in spite of the best efforts of the band, the members of the audience declined to dance!
At the end, representatives from Demelza House and Dementia UK gave brief updates of their work. Demelza House is now supporting 80 children and their families and continuing with their community work. For more information, contact Demelza Kent, Frolic has a special interest in the Admiral Nurses that Dementia UK are funding. Starting with three, there is now a network of almost 50 across the country, providing specialist care and support to dementia sufferers and their families. For more information, contact Dementia UK.
The whole event was a pleasure, well organised in a lovely venue with a lively band and good food. Frolic hope to hold another one next year, with the help of the Benenden Jazz Band, Mr and Mrs Wood and their own sterling efforts. A really splendid way to raise money for good causes, the expected amount is usually around £1,000 and the raffle raised £300 on its own. Look out for the event next year.
Photos: Gillian Roder