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TOC raises £690,000 for James’ Place!

Posted by Narinder Uniacke on 10th January 2021

Unlike any other year The October Club was faced with a huge challenge in 2020; attempting to raise funds for James’ Place, a charity offering life-saving support to men in suicidal crisis, in the absence of any physical events.

The Club raised an amazing £690,000 which will enable James’ Place to open a new centre in the City of London, where they have seen increasing demand for their services.

With the Dinner at The Savoy being cancelled, The October Club instead held an online auction and a virtual event.  The biggest contributors were an unlimited number of prints of two of David Yarrow’s iconic photographs, Craig and Once Upon a Time and a 7 night stay on the Branson estate in Bali.  Many of the usual donors came forward and offered their lots again including a private box at Ascot Racecourse, a pair of diamond and amethyst earrings from Kiki McDonough and a trip to the mountain village of Saas Fee.  There were also many creative lots with numerous sculptures and art works to choose from.  Additionally, participants were able to make pledges to support James’ Place in setting up their London premises.

It goes without saying that The October Club are eternally grateful to their loyal sponsors each year and this year more than most. Even in the absence of an event so many sponsors, old and new, continued to support The October Club and it’s chosen charity.

 Clare Milford Haven, Co- Founder and Chair of Trustees, James’ Place said:

“We were absolutely delighted to be named as The October Club’s charity partner for this year. The support we have received has meant so much to everyone involved with the charity and we are so grateful to the committee and to all who have given their energy and creativity to raising money for our cause. The support of The October Club has been vital in ensuring that we are able to open our service to men in East London facing suicidal crisis, and as the centre is established, we will always remember the transformational impact that this support has had. Harry, Nick and I have met many of you over recent months and we have been inspired by your commitment to our cause in this most challenging of years. The legacy of the work we have done together will endure as we set up James’ Place London and establish our service as a permanent presence in the city. We will always be delighted to see any of you at the centre and I hope you will stay in touch with our work as we open centres in more cities around the UK with the aim of ensuring that no man has to face a suicidal crisis alone. Thank you all so much for choosing James’ Place and for all you have done to support our work and make our London centre a reality.”

Chairman of The October Club, Henry Knapman, said: “We choose a charity that we believe will use the funds raised to make a significant and lasting impact. James’ Place is exactly that. We have been delighted to support its life-saving work, as it grows in stature and reach. There has never been a more important time to work to prevent suicide and we are very pleased that the money raised for James’ Place will do that.”