Ever since Katie died in 1996, and having been best mates, I have wanted to do some sort of fundraising event, but have been too disorganised to actually carry out my intentions. It was when El died shortly before our wedding last year, that I thought I really MUST come up with a great idea to raise money for cancer research.
But David Plunkett did that for me. He suggested the brilliant plan of screening a mini premiere of the highly acclaimed new Hollywood film Seabiscuit. It fitted the bill perfectly, as no subject matter could have been more relevant to Katie or Eloise than horses.
Invitations went out, predominantly to locals and friends of the Plunketts. The response was immense. I was deluged with bookings and sold out within the first three days! We made a unanimous decision to hold our premiere in Chipping Norton theatre because of its unrivalled sense of intimacy and cosy charm. Everyone at the theatre went out of their way to help me with the evening and I could not be more grateful, so a huge thankyou to them.
The drinks and smoked salmon sandwiches were devoured in eager anticipation on the night and the evening went smoothly. The total raised for the Eloise and Katie Memorial Trust (including some inordinately generous donations) was £24,260 - a staggering total considering the relatively small number of people involved. Not only did we come away with a vast sum of money for the Trust, but we also raised awareness of this website and indeed the EAKMT.
Thank you to Celia for my wonderful bunch of flowers she kindly gave me, and all I can say is that I could not have been more honoured to organise such a fun evening for two such fun, cool girls who we all adored.
Iona Hoare (nee Hughes)
 
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