A charity event featuring a pair of Queen Victoria’s knickers has raised around £6,000 for local causes, including Julia's House.
Hosted by the fundraising organisation, Omnes ad Unum, the champagne reception and dinner at Devizes Town Hall was held last month in support of Julia’s House children’s hospice, Dorothy House and St John the Baptist Church.
Entertainment for the evening included a comedic performance from the Devizes-based fashion historian, author and funny woman, Rosemary Hawthorne. The RADA-trained vicar’s wife and mother of seven is known as ‘The Knicker Lady’ for her internationally famed collection of vintage smalls.
Last week, Omnes ad Unum’s Founder, Mike Sanders, and the organisation’s Treasurer, Tim Lacy-Hulbert, presented the donation of £2,000 to Julia’s House Senior Team Nurse, Carys Wilkins, at our hospice building in Devizes.
Mike said, “I remember visiting the Julia’s House hospice building in a hard hat when it was being built over five years ago. It’s an exceptional and vital facility for families who are caring for very seriously ill children.
“As a parent and grandparent myself, I can only imagine the heartbreak and challenges that these families face. I’m so pleased that we’ve been able to support Julia’s House over the years to help keep this essential service running for local families in need.”
Mike Sanders, Founder of Omnes ad Unum
Senior Team Nurse Carys said, “We’re incredibly grateful to the members of Omnes ad Unum and everyone who has donated to Julia’s House. We rely almost entirely on the generosity of our supporters to fund our lifeline of care for local families. A donation of £2,000 could provide 17 hours of respite support with a nurse and carer for a family with a life-limited child, so the funds will make a very real difference for our care.”
More than 80 guests attended the Jubilee dinner on 3 June, including local politicians and business people. A silent auction helped to raise further donations, with all proceeds split evenly between the chosen charities.
Mike Sanders added, “It was a very witty show from The Knicker Lady and interesting to learn about the history of the pieces. Everyone had a jolly evening and it was a wonderful way to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and raise money for three important local charities.”
Omnes ad Adum – meaning ‘all for one’ – was first formed in 2015 to fund the upkeep of St John the Baptist Church in Devizes. The organisation has so far raised around £170,000 for local causes thanks to regular fundraising events, including the popular Christmas Tree Festivals.
